ATTACHMENT DEVICE AND ATTACHMENT METHOD OF INFORMATION ACQUISITION DEVICE

An attachment device that is capable of forming a through hole in an outer peripheral surface of a pipe using a drilling machine and attaches an information acquisition device to acquire information regarding the pipe through the through hole, includes a pipe attachment portion attachable to the pipe and including an opening communicating with the through hole, a valve portion attached so as to communicate with the opening, a valve connection portion to connect the opening and the valve portion, and an attachment portion to which the drilling machine or the information acquisition device can be attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to attachment devices capable of attaching information acquisition devices to acquire information regarding a pipe through which a fluid flows, and attachment methods of information acquisition devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, a technique of a device that acquires information regarding a pipe is known. For example, JP S63-62754 U discloses an uninterrupted water pipe investigation device in which an investigation rod for investigating the inside of a pipe can be inserted into a hole formed in the middle of a pipeline. The investigation rod is attached to a through flange provided to communicate with the hole.

Here, in a case where a hole through which the investigation rod can be inserted is not formed in an existing pipe (pipeline), it is necessary to form the hole in the pipe. For example, JP 2016-217518 A discloses a technique of forming a hole in a pipe (water pipe) using a drilling device. In the invention described in JP 2016-217518 A, a step of attaching a drilling device to a branch joint externally fixed to a pipe and drilling a hole in the pipe is executed.

As described above, a hole is formed in the pipe by the step described in JP 2016-217518 A, and the investigation rod described in JP S63-62754 U is inserted into the hole, whereby information on an arbitrary location of the pipe can be acquired.

However, in the case of forming the hole in the pipe or performing work of installing an information acquisition device as described above, it is necessary to replace a jig for attaching the drilling device and the information acquisition device to the pipe. Therefore, it is expected that installation work of the information acquisition device at an arbitrary location of the pipe becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above circumstances, example embodiments of the present invention provide attachment devices each capable of easily installing an information acquisition device at an arbitrary location in a pipe, and attachment methods of the information acquisition devices.

An attachment device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of forming a first through hole in an outer peripheral surface of a pipe using a drilling machine and attaches an information acquisition device to acquire information regarding the pipe through the first through hole, the attachment device including a pipe attachment portion attachable to the pipe and including an opening communicating with the first through hole, a valve portion attached so as to communicate with the opening, a first valve connection portion connecting the opening and the valve portion, an attachment portion to which the drilling machine or the information acquisition device can be attached, and a second valve connection portion connecting the valve portion and the drilling machine or the information acquisition device, wherein the second valve connection portion includes a first main body that is tubular and insertable into a second through hole in the valve portion and the drilling machine or the information acquisition device, and a first elastic portion on an outer peripheral surface of the first main body to seal between the outer peripheral surface of the first main body and an inner peripheral surface of the second through hole, and the first main body is connectable to the drilling machine or the information acquisition device by being inserted into the second through hole so as to be pushed against a frictional force of the first elastic portion.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the information acquisition device can be easily installed at an arbitrary location of the pipe.

A valve connection portion according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a second main body that is tubular, and a second elastic portion on an outer peripheral surface of the second main body to seal between the outer peripheral surface of the second main body and an inner peripheral surface of the opening.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to stop water in the pipe in a relatively space-saving manner.

An attachment portion according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes an abutment portion to abut against the valve portion on a plane orthogonal to a central axis of the opening.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, centering of the valve portion with respect to the opening of the pipe attachment portion can be easily performed.

An information acquisition device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes an information acquirer to acquire information regarding the pipe, a shaft portion to which the information acquirer is attachable, and an operator to insert the shaft portion into the through hole.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, since the information acquirer can be installed inside the pipe via the through hole, information regarding the pipe can be directly acquired.

An attachment method of an information acquisition device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is an attachment method of an information acquisition device using the attachment device according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the attachment method including attaching the drilling machine to the attachment device attached to the pipe, forming the first through hole in the pipe using the drilling machine after the attaching the drilling machine, and detaching the drilling machine from the attachment device and attaching the information acquisition device to the attachment device after the forming the first through hole.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, an information acquisition device can be easily installed at an arbitrary location of the pipe.

According to example embodiments of the present disclosure, information acquisition devices can each be easily installed at an arbitrary location of the pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, directions indicated by arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R in the drawings are defined as an upward direction, a downward direction, a forward direction, a backward direction, a left direction, and a right direction, respectively. Note that the drawings referred to in the following description are schematic diagrams, and the specific shapes and dimensions of each component are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings.

An attachment device1according to a first example embodiment will be described below with reference toFIGS.1to8.

The attachment device1is for attaching an information acquisition device80that acquires information regarding a water pipe2. Hereinafter, first, the water pipe2will be described with reference toFIG.1.

The water pipe2illustrated inFIG.1is an existing pipe buried in the ground. The water pipe2extends in a front-back direction. The water pipe2is formed of, for example, metal. Tap water (fluid) flows through the water pipe2.

In the present example embodiment, a through hole2ais formed in an upper surface of an arbitrary portion of the water pipe2by performing a through hole formation step described later (seeFIG.5). By opening the through hole2a, it is possible to form a flow path branching through the through hole2a. Note that, in the state illustrated inFIG.1, a through hole2ato attach the information acquisition device80is not formed in the water pipe2.

Next, a configuration of the attachment device1will be described with reference toFIGS.1and2. The attachment device1is installed in an arbitrary portion of the water pipe2. A drilling machine70and the information acquisition device80described later are attached to the attachment device1installed in the water pipe2. The attachment device1includes a pipe attachment portion10, a lower valve connection portion20, a valve portion30, an upper valve connection portion40, an attachment portion50, and a cover portion60.

The pipe attachment portion10illustrated inFIG.1is attached to the water pipe2. The pipe attachment portion10preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape that is externally mounted on an outer peripheral surface of an arbitrary portion of the water pipe2. The pipe attachment portion10is vertically dividable. The pipe attachment portion10includes an upper portion11, a lower portion12, and a coupling portion13.

The upper portion11defines an upper portion of the pipe attachment portion10. The upper portion11preferably has a substantially half cylindrical shape. A substantially cylindrical branch portion11ais provided at a center of the upper portion11in a left-right direction so as to protrude upward. An opening11bthat opens vertically is provided in the branch portion11a. The opening11bcommunicates with an inner surface of the upper portion11. An upper end surface of the branch portion11ais orthogonal to a central axis (axis oriented in a vertical direction) of the opening11b. Furthermore, a gasket11ccapable of stopping water between an inner surface of the pipe attachment portion10and the outer peripheral surface of the water pipe2is provided at an edge portion of the opening11bon the inner surface of the upper portion11.

The lower portion12defines a lower portion of the pipe attachment portion10. The lower portion12preferably has a substantially half cylindrical shape.

The coupling portion13couples the upper portion11and the lower portion12. The coupling portion13according to the present example embodiment includes a bolt inserted through the upper portion11and the lower portion12, and a nut fitted to the bolt. A pair of the coupling portions13is provided on the left and right.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the upper portion11and the lower portion12are attached so as to sandwich the water pipe2vertically, and the upper portion11and the lower portion12are fixed to each other using the pair of coupling portions13, such that the pipe attachment portion10can be attached to the water pipe2.

The lower valve connection portion20is disposed in the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10and is connected to a lower portion of the valve portion30described later. The lower valve connection portion20includes a main body21and an O-ring22.

The main body21is a main structural body of the lower valve connection portion20. The main body21preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape with an axial direction oriented in the vertical direction. As illustrated inFIG.2, the main body21preferably has a structure in which a lower portion is enlarged in diameter with respect to an upper portion. The main body21includes a through hole21a, a male screw portion21b, and an enlarged diameter portion21c.

The through hole21ais a portion vertically penetrating the lower valve connection portion20.

The male screw portion21bdefines an upper portion of the lower valve connection portion20. An outer peripheral surface of the male screw portion21bis subjected to screw processing. The male screw portion21bpreferably has a tapered shape (diameter gradually decreases upward).

The enlarged diameter portion21cdefines a lower portion of the lower valve connection portion20. An outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion21cis slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10. On an outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion21c, a pair of grooves extending in a circumferential direction are located at intervals in the vertical direction.

The O-ring22is a ring-shaped structure that seals (fills) a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion21cand the inner peripheral surface of the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10. The O-ring22is preferably made of a flexible material such as rubber. The O-ring22is provided in each of the pair of grooves in the enlarged diameter portion21c.

The valve portion30can switch between stopping water in a flow path branched from the water pipe2(a flow path branched through the through hole2a) and releasing the stopping water. A lower portion of the valve portion30is connected to the lower valve connection portion20. In the present example embodiment, a ball valve is adopted as the valve portion30. Note that the valve portion30is not limited to the ball valve, and various valves such as a butterfly valve can be adopted. The valve portion30includes a main body31, a valve body32, and an operator33.

The main body31is a main structural body of the valve portion30. The main body31preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape with an axial direction oriented in the vertical direction. The main body31includes a through hole31apenetrating the main body31in the vertical direction.

A first female screw portion31bto be fitted with the male screw portion21bof the lower valve connection portion20is provided on a lower end side of the through hole31a. An inner peripheral surface of the first female screw portion31bis subjected to screw processing. The first female screw portion31bpreferably has a tapered shape whose diameter gradually increases toward the lower side.

A second female screw portion31cto be fitted with a male screw portion41bof the upper valve connection portion40described later is provided on an upper end side of the through hole31a. An inner peripheral surface of the second female screw portion31cis subjected to screw processing. The second female screw portion31cpreferably has a tapered shape whose diameter gradually increases upward.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the main body31preferably has a structure in which a lower end portion31dis reduced in diameter with respect to a portion (central portion31e) above the lower end portion31d. Furthermore, a step portion31fthat connects the lower end portion31dand the central portion31eis provided in the main body31. The step portion31fdefines a surface facing downward.

The valve body32can stop water from the through hole31a. The valve body32preferably has a substantially spherical shape in which a hole penetrating in one direction is provided. The valve body32is provided at a middle portion in the vertical direction of the through hole31a. The valve body32is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft32awhose axis is oriented in the left-right direction with respect to the main body31.

The operator33is operable to rotate the valve body32. The operator33is coupled to the main body31through the rotation shaft32aof the main body31.

By rotating the valve body32using the operator33, it is possible to switch between a state in which the through hole31ais closed by the valve body32(state in which water stop is performed) and a state in which the through hole31ais opened through the hole of the valve body32(state in which water stop is released).

The upper valve connection portion40is connected to an upper portion of the valve portion30. The upper valve connection portion40includes a main body41and an O-ring42.

The main body41is a main structural body of the upper valve connection portion40. The main body41preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape with an axial direction oriented in the vertical direction. As illustrated inFIG.2, the main body41preferably has a shape in which an upper portion is enlarged in diameter with respect to a lower portion. The main body41includes a through hole41a, a male screw portion41b, and an enlarged diameter portion41c.

The through hole41ais a portion vertically penetrating the upper valve connection portion40.

The male screw portion41bdefines a lower portion of the upper valve connection portion40. An outer peripheral surface of the male screw portion41bis subjected to screw processing. The male screw portion41bpreferably has a tapered shape (diameter gradually decreases toward the lower side). The male screw portion41bis fitted with the second female screw portion31cof the valve portion30(main body31).

The enlarged diameter portion41cdefines an upper portion of the upper valve connection portion40. A groove extending in the circumferential direction is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion41c. The cover portion60described later is attached to the enlarged diameter portion41c.

The O-ring42is a ring-shaped structure provided in the groove in the enlarged diameter portion41c. The O-ring42is preferably made of a flexible material such as rubber.

The attachment portion50can be attached with the drilling machine70or the information acquisition device80. Specifically, the attachment portion50has a structure such that both the drilling machine70and the information acquisition device80are detachable, and an arbitrarily selected one of the drilling machine70and the information acquisition device80is attached thereto. The attachment portion50preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape with an axial direction oriented in the vertical direction. The attachment portion50is attached to the branch portion11aof the pipe attachment portion10. As illustrated inFIG.1, the valve portion30is disposed inside the attachment portion50. The attachment portion50is vertically dividable. The attachment portion50includes a first attachment portion51and a second attachment portion52.

The first attachment portion51defines a lower portion (lower end portion) of the attachment portion50. A through hole51apenetrating the first attachment portion51in the vertical direction is provided in the first attachment portion51. As illustrated inFIG.1, a lower end portion31dof the valve portion30(main body31) is inserted into the through hole51a. An inner diameter of the through hole51ais slightly larger than an outer diameter of the lower end portion31d. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the through hole51ais smaller than an outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion21cof the lower valve connection portion20.

Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG.2, the first attachment portion51includes an upper surface51bthat is a surface facing upward and a lower surface51cthat is a surface facing downward. The upper surface51band the lower surface51care orthogonal to an axis oriented in the vertical direction (a central axis of the opening11b). The first attachment portion51is fixed to an upper end portion of the branch portion11aof the pipe attachment portion10using a stopper such as a bolt. Furthermore, the first attachment portion51includes a flange with an enlarged diameter at an upper end portion.

The second attachment portion52defines an upper portion (portion excluding a lower end portion) of the attachment portion50. A through hole52avertically penetrating the second attachment portion52is provided in the second attachment portion52. An inner diameter of the through hole52ais slightly larger than an outer diameter of the central portion31eof the main body31of the valve portion30. Most of the valve portion30(a portion excluding the lower end portion31dof the main body31and the operator33) is inserted into the through hole52a. A lower left portion of the second attachment portion52is cut out so as to avoid interference with the operator33of the valve portion30. Furthermore, an inner peripheral surface52bof the through hole52aabuts against or approaches the central portion31eof the main body31.

The drilling machine70, the information acquisition device80, and the cover portion60described later are attached to an upper end portion of the second attachment portion52. Furthermore, the second attachment portion52includes a flange having an enlarged diameter at a lower end portion. The second attachment portion52can be fixed to the first attachment portion51by fixing the flanges on the second attachment portion52and the first attachment portion51to each other using a stopper such as a bolt.

The cover portion60closes the through hole41aof the upper valve connection portion40. The cover portion60preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape with an axial direction oriented in the vertical direction. The cover portion60is fixed to an upper end portion of the second attachment portion52using a stopper such as a bolt. The cover portion60includes a recess61.

The recess61is a portion recessed upward on a lower surface of the cover portion60. The recess61preferably has a substantially circular shape in a bottom view. The enlarged diameter portion41cof the upper valve connection portion40is inserted into the recess61. An inner diameter of the recess61is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion41cof the upper valve connection portion40. A gap between an inner peripheral surface of the recess61and an outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion41cis sealed by the O-ring42.

Next, a state in which the attachment device1as described above is installed in the water pipe2will be described.

First, a worker who installs the attachment device1disposes the upper portion11and the lower portion12of the pipe attachment portion10so as to sandwich an arbitrary portion of the water pipe2, and fixes the upper portion11and the lower portion12to each other using a stopper. As a result, the pipe attachment portion10is attached to the water pipe2(seeFIG.1). Note that the pipe attachment portion10is attached such that the opening11bopens upward.

Next, the worker attaches a structure such as the valve portion30to the branch portion11aof the pipe attachment portion10. At this time, for example, as illustrated inFIG.3, the valve portion30in a state in which the lower valve connection portion20, the upper valve connection portion40, and the first attachment portion51are assembled can be attached to the branch portion11a.

In the example illustrated inFIG.3, in a state where the lower end portion31dof the valve portion30(main body31) is inserted into the through hole51aof the first attachment portion51, the male screw portion21bof the lower valve connection portion20is fitted to the first female screw portion31bof the main body31. With such a configuration, the first attachment portion51is sandwiched between the valve portion30(main body31) and the lower valve connection portion20. More specifically, the first attachment portion51is sandwiched between the step portion31fof the main body31and the enlarged diameter portion21cof the lower valve connection portion20.

By inserting the enlarged diameter portion21c(lower valve connection portion20), which is the lower end portion of each structural element (lower valve connection portion20, valve portion30, upper valve connection portion40, and first attachment portion51) assembled as described above, into the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10, each structural element described above can be attached to the branch portion11a. At this time, the worker inserts the enlarged diameter portion21cinto the opening11bby pushing the enlarged diameter portion21cagainst the frictional force of the O-ring22. In this state, by fixing the first attachment portion51to the branch portion11ausing a stopper such as a bolt, each structural element described above is fixed to the branch portion11a(seeFIG.1).

In this state, the upper end surface of the branch portion11aand the lower surface51cof the first attachment portion51abut against each other. Furthermore, the upper surface51bof the first attachment portion51and the step portion31fof the main body31of the valve portion30abut against each other. With such a configuration, the step portion31fof the valve portion30is disposed parallel to a surface (the upper surface51bor the upper end surface of the branch portion11a) orthogonal to the central axis of the opening11b. As described above, by using the first attachment portion51, it is possible to reduce or prevent the positional deviation of the valve portion30with respect to the opening11b, and to easily center the valve portion30with respect to the opening11b.

Furthermore, as described above, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10and the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion21cis sealed by the O-ring22. The gap is waterproofed by the O-ring22. As described above, in the present example embodiment, the male screw and the female screw are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the opening11band the outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion21c, and water stop is performed by the O-ring22instead of performing water stop by fitting them. This makes it possible to reduce the size of each structural element (the pipe attachment portion10and the lower valve connection portion20). That is, in a case where water stoppage is performed by fitting portions where a male screw and a female screw are mated to each other, a processing margin for performing screw processing is required, and thus it is difficult to reduce the size of the structure. On the other hand, when the O-ring22is used, screw processing is unnecessary, and the structure can be downsized, so that space saving can be achieved.

Specifically, the attachment device1according to the present example embodiment needs to be installed so as not to be directly buried in the ground in order to perform maintenance such as replacement of an information acquirer84to be described later, unlike, for example, a conventional faucet that is buried back in the ground. Therefore, the attachment device1is installed so that the periphery is covered with an appropriate box or the like (not illustrated). According to the present example embodiment, by adopting the structure using the O-ring22as described above, it is possible to reduce the size of the attachment device1, and eventually it is possible to reduce the installation space of the box covering the attachment device1. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of excavation and the like for installing the box and shorten the process.

Next, the worker provides the second attachment portion52so as to insert the valve portion30(body portion31) therethrough, and fixes the second attachment portion52to the first attachment portion51using a stopper such as a bolt.

Next, the worker disposes the cover portion60on the upper end portion of the second attachment portion52and fixes the cover portion to the second attachment portion52using a stopper such as a bolt. In this way, installation of the attachment device1with respect to the water pipe2is completed.

FIG.1illustrates the attachment device1that is completely installed in the water pipe2. In this state, the holes (opening11b, through hole21a, through hole31a, and through hole41a) vertically penetrating the structural elements of the attachment device1communicate with each other.

By using the attachment device1as described above, the through hole2acan be formed in the outer peripheral surface of the water pipe2by the drilling machine70, and the information acquisition device80can be attached through the through hole2a.

An attachment method of the information acquisition device80will be described below with reference toFIGS.4to8. As illustrated in a flowchart ofFIG.4, the attachment method of the information acquisition device80includes a “drilling machine installation step”, a “through hole formation step”, and an “information acquisition device installation step”. Hereinafter, each step will be described in order.

First, the “drilling machine installation step” will be described. The drilling machine installation step is a step of attaching the drilling machine70to the attachment device1installed in the water pipe2. Hereinafter, first, the configuration of the drilling machine70will be described.

The drilling machine70illustrated inFIG.5is a device that forms the through hole2ain the water pipe2. As the drilling machine70, various devices capable of forming a hole in the water pipe2can be adopted. The drilling machine70includes a support portion71and a drill72.

The support portion71is a portion attached to the second attachment portion52of the attachment device1.

The drill72is a portion that forms the through hole2ain the water pipe2. The drill72preferably has an elongated shape in the vertical direction. The drill72is supported by the support portion71so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis whose axis is directed in the vertical direction and movable in the vertical direction.

In the drilling machine installation step, the worker first removes the cover portion60from the attachment device1. Next, the worker disposes the drilling machine70such that the drill72is inserted into each through hole (opening11b, through hole21a, through hole31a, and through hole41a) of the attachment device1. Next, the worker fixes the support portion71to the upper end portion of the second attachment portion52using a stopper such as a bolt. In this way, the drilling machine installation step is completed.

Next, the “through hole formation step” will be described. The through hole formation step is a step of forming the through hole2ain the water pipe2. In the through hole formation step, as illustrated inFIG.5, the worker feeds the drill72along each through hole (opening11b, through hole21a, through hole31a, and through hole41a) of the attachment device1to perform drilling on the water pipe2, thus forming the through hole2a. In this way, the through hole formation step is completed.

In a state where the through hole2ais formed in the water pipe2, the through hole2acommunicates with each through hole (opening11b, through hole21a, through hole31a, and through hole41a) of the attachment device1. As a result, a flow path branching upward through the through hole2ais formed in the water pipe2. Note that, at this time, the valve portion30is operated to close the through hole31aby the valve body32, so that it is possible to stop water in the branched flow path.

Next, the “information acquisition device installation step” will be described. The information acquisition device installation step illustrated inFIGS.7and8is a step of attaching the information acquisition device80to the attachment device1. In the information acquisition device installation step, the worker first removes the drilling machine70from the attachment device1.

Next, the worker installs the information acquisition device80in the attachment device1. In the present example embodiment, an example in which the information acquisition device80is installed without interruption of water supply will be described. Hereinafter, first, a configuration of the information acquisition device80will be described.

The information acquisition device80illustrated inFIGS.6A and6Bacquires information regarding the water pipe2through the through hole2a. The information acquisition device80is attached to the attachment device1. The information acquisition device80includes a support portion81, a shaft portion82, an operator83, and an information acquirer84.

The support portion81illustrated inFIG.6Ais a portion attached to the second attachment portion52of the attachment device1. The support portion81preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape (a cylindrical shape in which a lower end portion is enlarged in diameter) with an axial direction oriented in the vertical direction. A through hole81avertically penetrating the support portion81is provided in the support portion81.

On a lower end side of the through hole81a, a first enlarged diameter portion81cwith an enlarged diameter with respect to a central portion (central portion81b) in the vertical direction of the through hole81ais formed. As illustrated inFIG.8, in a state where the information acquisition device80is installed in the attachment device1, the enlarged diameter portion41cof the upper valve connection portion40is inserted into the first enlarged diameter portion81c. An inner diameter of the first enlarged diameter portion81cis slightly larger than an outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion41cof the upper valve connection portion40. A gap between an inner peripheral surface of the first enlarged diameter portion81cand an outer peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion41cis sealed by the O-ring42.

A second enlarged diameter portion81denlarged in diameter with respect to the central portion81bis provided on an upper end side of the through hole81a. An inner peripheral surface of the second enlarged diameter portion81dis subjected to screw processing.

The shaft portion82illustrated inFIGS.6A and6Bare portions to which an information acquirer84described later can be attached. The shaft portion82preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape elongated in the vertical direction. The shaft portion82is inserted into the through hole81aof the support portion81. As illustrated inFIG.6A, an outer diameter of a portion excluding the upper end portion of the shaft portion82is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the central portion81bof the through hole81a. Furthermore, an outer diameter of the upper end portion of the shaft portion82is larger than the inner diameter of the central portion81bof the through hole81a.

Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG.6B, an attachment portion82ato which the information acquirer84is attached is provided at a lower end portion of the shaft portion82. The attachment portion82aincludes a front side surface that is a flat surface to which the information acquirer84can be attached.

Furthermore, a groove extending in the circumferential direction on an outer peripheral surface is provided in the shaft portion82. A plurality of (three in the illustrated example) grooves is provided at intervals in the vertical direction. Each of the grooves is provided with an O-ring82bthat seals (fills) a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion82and the inner peripheral surface such as the central portion81bof the through hole81a. The O-ring82bis preferably made of a flexible material such as rubber.

The operator83is provided to attach the shaft portion82to the support portion81. The operator83preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape with an axial direction oriented in the vertical direction. The operator83is attached to an upper end portion of the shaft portion82. An outer peripheral surface of the operator83is subjected to screw processing. The shaft portion82can be attached to the support portion81by screwing the operator83into the second enlarged diameter portion81dof the support portion81.

The information acquirer84illustrated inFIGS.6A and6Bacquires information regarding the water pipe2. The information acquirer84is preferably made of an elastically deformable plate-shaped body and a strain gauge (not illustrated) provided on surfaces (front surface and rear surface) of the plate-shaped body. The information acquirer84is fixed to the front surface of the attachment portion82ausing an appropriate stopper.

The information acquirer84detects deformation of the plate-shaped body due to receiving the pressure of water with the strain gauge to acquire the flow velocity and the flowing direction of water flowing through the water pipe2(seeFIG.6B). An appropriate lead wire (not illustrated) is connected to the strain gauge. An acquisition result by the information acquirer84can be transmitted to an external device (for example, an external server or the like) by an appropriate communication device connected to the lead wire. Note that, although not illustrated inFIGS.6A and6Band the like, an insertion hole for drawing out the lead wire to the outside of the information acquisition device80may be provided in an appropriate location (for example, the shaft portion82) of the information acquisition device80.

Hereinafter, details of a method for installing the above-described information acquisition device80in the attachment device1will be described.

First, the worker attaches the support portion81to the second attachment portion52of the attachment device1. The attachment is performed by fixing the support portion81to the upper end portion of the second attachment portion52of the attachment device1using a stopper such as a bolt. In this state, the through hole81aof the support portion81communicates with a flow path (opening11b, through hole21a, through hole31a, and through hole41a) of the attachment device1. Note that, at this time point, it is assumed that the flow path (through hole31a) of the attachment device1is closed by the valve body32of the valve portion30.

Next, the worker inserts the shaft portion82provided with the operator83and the information acquirer84into the support portion81with respect to the through hole81a. At this time point, the lower end portion of the information acquirer84is located above the valve body32of the valve portion30.

Next, the worker operates the valve portion30to open the flow path (through hole31a) of the attachment device1. In this state, water is stopped between the shaft portion82and the through hole81a(central portion81b) by the O-ring82b(lowermost O-ring82b) provided in the shaft portion82. Next, the worker pushes down the shaft portion82and inserts the shaft portion into the flow path of the attachment device1. Furthermore, the worker performs an operation of screwing the operator83into the second enlarged diameter portion81dof the support portion81to attach the shaft portion82to the support portion81. In this way, the information acquisition device installation step is completed.

FIG.8illustrates a state in which the installation of the information acquisition device80is completed. In this state, a lower portion of the information acquirer84is located inside the water pipe2through the through hole2a. As a result, the information acquirer84can acquire the flow velocity and the flowing direction of the water in the water pipe2.

Furthermore, when replacement, maintenance, or the like of the information acquirer84is performed, the shaft portion82provided with the operator83and the information acquirer84can be removed from the support portion81. In this case, the worker performs the removal work of the shaft portion82and the like in a reverse procedure to the attachment work described above.

In the present example embodiment, the plurality of O-rings82bprovided on the shaft portion82is provided so as to constantly stop water in the flow path of the attachment device1and the through hole81a(central portion81b) of the support portion81when the shaft portion82and the like are attached to and detached from the support portion81. That is, in the present example embodiment, in each stage (for example, before and after the shaft portion82or the like passes through the valve body32, or the like) when the shaft portion82or the like is attached or detached, the flow path of the attachment device1and the through hole81aare waterproofed by any of the plurality of O-rings82b. As described above, in the present example embodiment, the information acquisition device80can be installed without interruption of water supply.

The attachment method of the information acquisition device80has been described above. Note that the attachment method of the information acquisition device80described above is an example, and the work of the attachment method is not limited to the example described above and can be appropriately changed.

For example, in the information acquisition device installation step, a step of attaching a bush (anticorrosion core) to protect the inner peripheral surface of the through hole2amay be executed after the drilling machine70is removed from the attachment device1. In this case, work of deforming (enlarging a diameter of) the bush made of a substantially tubular metal is executed in a state where the bush is inserted into the through hole2ausing an appropriate bush mounting device. Thus, the bush can be mounted in the through hole2ato protect the inner peripheral surface of the through hole2a.

In this case, the bush mounting device can be installed in the attachment device1. Specifically, the bush mounting device can be fixed to the upper end portion of the second attachment portion52using a stopper such as a bolt.

According to the attachment method of the information acquisition device80as described above, it is possible to install a plurality of types of devices such as the drilling machine70and the information acquisition device80(and further, the bush mounting device) using the attachment device1that is the same device. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to replace a device (jig) for attachment for each work, and the information acquisition device80can be easily installed at an arbitrary location of the water pipe2.

As described above, the attachment device1according to the present example embodiment is an attachment device capable of forming the through hole2ain the outer peripheral surface of the pipe (water pipe2) using the drilling machine70and attaches the information acquisition device80that acquires information regarding the pipe (water pipe2) through the through hole2a, the attachment device including the pipe attachment portion10attached to the pipe (water pipe2) and including the opening11bcommunicating with the through hole2a, the valve portion30attached so as to communicate with the opening11b, the valve connection portion (lower valve connection portion20) connecting the opening11band the valve portion30, and the attachment portion50to which the drilling machine70or the information acquisition device80can be attached.

With such a configuration, the information acquisition device80can be easily installed at an arbitrary location of the pipe (water pipe2). That is, the same attachment device1can be used to attach the drilling machine70to form the through hole2ain the pipe (water pipe2) and attach the information acquisition device80. As a result, it is not necessary to replace the jig for each work, and the information acquisition device80can be easily installed at an arbitrary location of the pipe (water pipe2).

Furthermore, the valve connection portion (lower valve connection portion20) includes a main body21that is tubular, and an elastic structure (O-ring22) provided on an outer peripheral surface of the main body21to seal between the outer peripheral surface of the main body21and an inner peripheral surface of the opening11b.

With such a configuration, water of the pipe (water pipe2) can be stopped in a relatively space-saving manner. For example, in a case where water stop is performed by forming and fitting male threads/female threads, a processing margin for performing screw processing is required, and thus it is difficult to reduce a size of the structure. On the other hand, when the elastic structure (O-ring22) is used, screw processing is unnecessary, and the structure can be downsized, so that space saving can be achieved.

The attachment device1according to the present example embodiment needs to be installed so as not to be directly buried in the ground in order to perform maintenance such as replacement of the information acquirer84, unlike, for example, a conventional water faucet that is buried back in the ground. Therefore, the attachment device1is installed so that the periphery is covered with an appropriate box or the like. According to the present example embodiment, by adopting the elastic structure (O-ring22) as described above, it is possible to reduce a size of the attachment device1, and it is possible to reduce an installation space of the box covering the attachment device1. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of excavation and the like for installing the box and shorten the process.

Furthermore, the attachment portion50includes an abutment portion (upper surface51b) that abuts against the valve portion30(step portion31f) on a plane orthogonal to a central axis of the opening11b.

With such a configuration, centering of the valve portion30with respect to the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10can be easily performed.

Furthermore, the information acquisition device80includes an information acquirer84to acquire information regarding the pipe (water pipe2), a shaft portion82to which the information acquirer84is attachable, and an operator83to insert the shaft portion82into the through hole2a.

With this configuration, since the information acquirer84can be installed inside the pipe (water pipe2) via the through hole2a, information regarding the pipe (water pipe2) can be directly acquired.

Furthermore, an attachment method of the information acquisition device80according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is an attachment method of the information acquisition device80using the attachment device1according to one of the above-described example embodiments, the attachment method including attaching the drilling machine70to the attachment device1attached to the pipe (water pipe2), forming the through hole2ain the pipe (water pipe2) using the drilling machine70after the attaching the drilling machine, and detaching the drilling machine70from the attachment device1and attaching the information acquisition device80to the attachment device1after the forming the through hole.

With such a configuration, it is possible to attach the drilling machine70for forming the through hole2ain the pipe (water pipe2) and attach the information acquisition device80using the same attachment device1. As a result, it is not necessary to replace the jig for each work, and the information acquisition device80can be easily installed at an arbitrary location of the pipe (water pipe2).

Note that the water pipe2according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of the pipe according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the lower valve connection portion20according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of a valve connection portion according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the O-ring22according to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of the elastic structure according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the upper surface51baccording to the present example embodiment is an example embodiment of the abutment portion according to the present invention.

Although the example embodiments of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

For example, in the present example embodiment, an example in which substantially the entire surfaces of an abutment portion (upper surface51b) of the attachment portion50and the step portion31fof the valve portion30abut against each other has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example embodiment. For example, the abutment portion (upper surface51b) of the attachment portion50and the step portion31fof the valve portion30may abut against each other at least at a portion in a plane orthogonal to an axis oriented in the vertical direction (central axis of the opening11b). In this case, for example, the attachment portion50and the valve portion30may abut against each other at a plurality of points (for example, three points) or lines in a virtual plane orthogonal to the central axis of the opening11b.

Furthermore, in the present example embodiment, the configuration in which the valve portion30is centered with respect to the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10by making the upper surface51bof the first attachment portion51and the step portion31fof the valve portion30abut against each other has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example embodiment. For example, instead of or in addition to the above configuration, the centering of the valve portion30may be performed by making the central portion31eof the valve portion30and the inner peripheral surface52bof the through hole52aof the second attachment portion52abut against each other. In this case, the inner diameter of the through hole52amay be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the central portion31eof the valve portion30.

Furthermore, second to fourth example embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIGS.9to11. Note that, in the following description of other example embodiments, differences from the first example embodiment will be mainly described, and configurations substantially similar to those of the first example embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.

An attachment device1A according to a second example embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIG.9is different from the first example embodiment in that an upper valve connection portion40, a second attachment portion52, and a cover portion60are not provided. In the attachment device1A, a valve portion30is disposed so as to be substantially entirely exposed. Note that an appropriate lid may be provided so as to close an upper end portion of a through hole31aof the valve portion30. Furthermore, in the attachment device1A, a drilling machine70and an information acquisition device80may be directly attached to a first attachment portion51.

The attachment device1A as described above also achieves effects substantially similar to those of the first example embodiment. Furthermore, according to the attachment device1A as described above, the number of structural elements can be reduced, and the configuration of the device can be simplified.

An attachment device1B according to a third example embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIG.10is different from the attachment device1A according to the second example embodiment in the configuration of a pipe attachment portion10A.

In the pipe attachment portion10A of the attachment device1B, first end sides in the left-right direction of an upper portion11and a lower portion12are coupled by a coupling portion13A having a rotation shaft13afacing the front-back direction instead of a bolt and a nut. In the pipe attachment portion10A, the upper portion11and the lower portion12are rotatably coupled around the rotation shaft13a.

When the pipe attachment portion10A is attached to a water pipe2, the water pipe2is vertically sandwiched by rotating the upper portion11and the lower portion12around the rotation shaft13a, and second end sides in the left-right direction of the upper portion11and the lower portion12are fixed using a coupling portion13(bolt and nut).

The attachment device1B as described above also achieves effects substantially similar to those of the second example embodiment. Furthermore, according to the attachment device1B as described above, the number of fixing locations using bolts and nuts can be reduced, and the workability of attachment of the pipe attachment portion10A to the water pipe2can be improved.

An attachment device1C according to a fourth example embodiment of the present invention illustrated inFIG.11is different from the attachment device1A according to the second example embodiment in the configuration of a lower portion12B of a pipe attachment portion10B.

In the present example embodiment, the lower portion12B includes a U-shaped bolt instead of a substantially half cylindrical structure substantially similar to an upper portion11. Both end portions of the lower portion12B are subjected to screw processing. As the lower portion12B, an existing U-shaped bolt can be used.

When the pipe attachment portion10B is attached to a water pipe2, if both end portions of the lower portion12B are inserted into the upper portion11so as to sandwich the water pipe2vertically, coupling portions13B (nuts) are mainly fitted to both end portions of the lower portion12B.

The attachment device1C as described above also achieves effects substantially similar to those of the second example embodiment. Furthermore, according to the attachment device1C as described above, the pipe attachment portion10B can be attached to the water pipe2using the existing U-shaped bolt.

Although example embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configurations, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

For example, in the present example embodiment, an example has been described in which the elastic structure (O-ring22) seals between the valve connection portion (lower valve connection portion20) and the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10, but the present invention is not limited to such an example embodiment. For example, the valve connection portion (lower valve connection portion20) and the opening11bof the pipe attachment portion10may be subjected to screw processing and fitted to each other to stop water.

Furthermore, in the present example embodiment, the information acquirer84may preferably include the strain gauge on the surface of the plate-shaped body, but is not limited to such an example embodiment. Any configuration can be adopted as the information acquirer84.

Furthermore, in the present example embodiment, the information acquirer84(information acquisition device80) detects the flow velocity of water in the water pipe2, but the present invention is not limited to such an example embodiment. For example, the information acquirer84may acquire various other information such as pressure, temperature, vibration, an image (video), and turbidity in the pipe.

Here, in the case of acquiring the temperature, the image (video), and the turbidity in the pipe, a thermometer, a camera, or a turbidity meter may be used at a tip of the shaft portion82instead of or in addition to the information acquirer84according to the present example embodiment. Furthermore, in a case where the pressure in the pipe is acquired, for example, a through hole through which the pressure in the pipe can be extracted may be provided in the shaft portion82, and an appropriate pressure sensor may be provided in the through hole. Furthermore, a pressure sensor may be directly provided in the attachment device1without providing the shaft portion82. In this case, the pressure in the pipe extracted through each through hole (opening11b, through hole21a, through hole31a, and through hole41a) of the attachment device1may be acquired by the pressure sensor.

Furthermore, in the present example embodiment, an example in which the pipe attachment portions10,10A, and10B each being divided into two portions are formed using the upper portions11and11A and the lower portions12,12A, and12B each having a substantially semicircular shape (substantially half cylindrical shape or U-shape) in front view has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example embodiment. For example, the pipe attachment portions10,10A, and10B each being divided into three or more portions may be formed using structures obtained by dividing a cylinder into three or more portions (for example, equally).

Furthermore, in the present example embodiment, an example in which the water pipe2is adopted as the pipe on which the attachment devices1to1C are installed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example embodiment. The attachment devices1to1C can be installed in various pipes (pipelines) through which a fluid flows, such as other metal pipes and pipes (resin pipes) made of resin.

Example embodiments of the present invention can be applied to attachment devices each capable of attaching an information acquisition device that acquires information regarding a pipe through which a fluid flows, and attachment methods of the information acquisition devices.