JP4386549B2 - Lubricant application device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lubricant application device for applying a lubricant to a cable in order to extend the cable while passing the cable through a conduit buried in the ground.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, the need for large-capacity data communication over the so-called Internet has increased. Therefore, in order to prepare a communication line, an optical fiber cable capable of transmitting a large amount of data, a metal cable, and the like (hereinafter simply referred to as a cable) are being laid. As one form of laying of these cables, there is a case where the cable is extended while passing the cable through a pipe line buried in the ground using a cable feeder.
[0003]
In order to smoothly send the cable into the pipeline, it is necessary to apply a lubricant to the cable. The reason for applying the lubricant is that the pipes buried for underground underground lines are not necessarily straight pipes due to topography and existing facilities, etc., and soil and sand are accumulated in the pipes. This is because the slippage is poor and the resistance to passing through the cable is large.
[0004]
Conventionally, when applying a lubricant to a cable, a worker has applied the lubricant to the cable using a brush or the like, which is very laborious.
In addition, because the worker manually applies the lubricant to the cable, spots are generated on the lubricant applied to the cable, and there are places where the lubricant is not applied to the cable. There was a problem that slipping worsened due to direct contact with the inner wall of the road.
Furthermore, when a large amount of lubricant is applied to the brush, the lubricant is dripped from the cable and wasted, and when a small amount of lubricant is applied to the brush, the lubricant is not applied sufficiently, and the lubricant is uneven. There was also a problem that occurred.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to uniformly apply a lubricant to be applied to a cable, to reduce waste of wasted lubricant and to reduce the work cost by workers. An object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant application device that realizes reduction.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1
A lubricant storage tank for storing a lubricant to be applied to the cable;
A conduit for dropping, which is connected to the lubricant storage tank and allows the lubricant to flow down from the lubricant storage tank by its own weight;
A lubricant application port that conducts with the dropping conduit and discharges the flowing lubricant;
A cylindrical case in which the lubricant application port is disposed, an annular end surface rubber provided on the introduction side of the case so that the inner periphery contacts the cable, and provided on the lead-out side of the case And an end rubber on the inner side of the case that comes into contact with the cable, and the end surface rubber on the introduction side of the case contacts the outer periphery of the cable to remove foreign matter on the outer periphery of the cable. Lubricant is applied to the cable by guiding the cable, which passes through the inner peripheral side of the individual end face rubbers and is passed through to the falling position of the lubricant discharged from the lubricant application port. the lubricant is homogenized by cable outer peripheral surface while Nuguisari excess lubricant cable outer periphery of the end surface rubber discharge side comes into contact with the outer periphery of the cable, the cable induced to dropping by flowing along the fallen lubricant to the case bottom surface And parts,
A lubricant collection tank for collecting the remaining lubricant dripped from the cable guiding portion ;
A pump for pumping up the remaining lubricant collected in the lubricant collecting tank;
A pumping conduit that is in communication with the pump for pumping and discharges the lubricant sent from the pump for pumping into the lubricant storage tank;
It is characterized by providing.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2
The lubricant application device according to claim 1,
It is equipped with a liquid level meter that measures the liquid level of the lubricant stored in the lubricant storage tank and outputs the liquid level data.
Based on the liquid level data to determine whether the lubricant reaches the liquid level of the lower limit, start running pumped fried pump when the lower limit of liquid level fried draw lubricant into the lubricant reservoir A control unit that outputs control data for stopping the operation of the pump when the upper liquid level is reached ;
It is characterized by providing.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 3
The lubricant application device according to claim 2,
A liquid level meter that measures the liquid level of the lubricant stored in the lubricant collection tank and outputs the liquid level data;
As the lubricant reservoir and on the basis of the liquid level data lubricant collection tank lubricant determines whether the reached the liquid surface level of the lower limit, either raise an alarm to the alarm unit when the lower limit of liquid level A control unit for outputting control data to be commanded to
It is characterized by providing.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, a lubricant application device that is an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a cable feeding system including a lubricant application device according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the lubricant application device according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to FIGS.
[0010]
First, the entire system including the lubricant application device 100 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the entire system including the lubricant application device 100, the cable 10 is extended in the direction of the arrow, and the handhole or manhole connected to the pipe line 20 buried in the ground. (Hereinafter collectively referred to as a connecting mine 30) is pulled out into the ground.
[0011]
Then, after passing through the route of the cable feeding device 40, the guide roller 50, and the extra length accommodation roller 60, it is introduced into the lubricant application device 100, and is sent again to the pipe line 70 through the connection pit 30 after the lubricant is applied.
These cable feeding device 40, guide roller 50, and lubricant application device 100 are attached to the accommodation rack 80.
[0012]
Next, the lubricant application device 100 will be described. First, the configuration of the lubricant application device 100 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant application device 100 includes a lubricant storage tank 1, a dropping conduit 2, a lubricant application port 3, a cable guide 4, a lubricant collection tank 5, a pump 6 for pumping, and a pump A frying conduit 7 and a liquid level meter 8 are provided. Liquid level meters 8 are provided at two locations above and below the lubricant storage tank 1 and the lubricant collection tank 5.
[0013]
Furthermore, as shown in the electric block diagram of FIG. 3A, the two liquid level meters 8 are electrically connected to the control unit 9 to output the liquid level data to the control unit 9, and The controller 9 is electrically connected to the pump 6 for pumping and outputs control data to the pump 6 for pumping.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cable 10 passes through the cable guiding portion 4 of the lubricant application device 100.
[0014]
Next, the configuration of each part and the flow of the lubricant will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant storage tank 1 stores the lubricant applied to the cable 10 to be extended. A hole is provided in the lower surface of the lubricant storage tank 1, and a dropping conduit 2 is connected thereto.
The dropping conduit 2 is, for example, a tube or a hose made of a flexible material (for example, rubber or vinyl), or a pipe made of a hard material (for example, hard plastic or metal). There is.
[0015]
One end of the dropping conduit 2 is connected to the lubricant storage tank 1 so that the lubricant flows down the dropping conduit 2 from the lubricant storage tank 1. Since the lubricant is high in clay, it is necessary to have a sufficiently large inner diameter in order to flow through the dropping conduit 2. In addition, it is necessary to dilute the lubricant as necessary to lower the clay, but the size of these inner diameters or the presence or absence of dilution is appropriately selected in consideration of the lubricant and pipeline to be used. .
In the middle of the dropping conduit 2, a water stop valve 2a is provided so that the flow of the lubricant can be stopped or the amount of the lubricant can be adjusted.
[0016]
The other end of the dropping conduit 2 is electrically connected to the lubricant application port 3.
The lubricant application port 3 discharges the lubricant flowing in from the dropping conduit 2. At this time, the lubricant application port 3 has a large opening so as to discharge a sufficient amount of lubricant.
[0017]
FIGS. 3B and 3C are explanatory views for explaining a specific example of the lubricant application port 3.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the lubricant application port 3 has a pentagonal shape such as a base base shape of a baseball, and in particular, the central vertex of the lubricant outlet 3a is directed downward. It is arranged. By doing so, a large amount is applied especially at the apex portion, and a small amount is applied as the distance from the apex portion, so that a large amount of lubricant applied to the center of the cable flows so as to wrap around the outer periphery of the cable, and the entire surface is evenly distributed. A lubricant is applied to cover.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), a plurality of holes serving as a lubricant outlet 3a may be provided in a cylinder connected to the dropping conduit 2, and the lubricant may be applied to the cable 10 from the plurality of holes. .
The configuration of these lubricant application ports 3 is appropriately designed and selected.
[0018]
As shown in the cutaway view of the cable guiding portion in FIG. 4A, the cable guiding portion 4 includes two end rubbers 4 a, and the lubricant application port 3 is disposed above the cable 10. Further, a case 4b surrounding the cable 10 is disposed. The shape of the case is not particularly limited. For example, the case may have a shape such as a square tube or a cylinder as shown in FIG.
An end face rubber 4 a is arranged in the cable guiding portion 4, and the end position rubber 4 a guides the passing position of the cable 10 so that the lubricant discharged from the lubricant application port 3 is always applied to the cable 10.
[0019]
Specifically, the end surface rubber 4a is a member made of rubber and having a substantially annular shape, as shown in FIG. 4B. Here, the diameter of the through-hole 4c of the end rubber 4a disposed on the front side is substantially equal to the diameter of the cable 10, and the passage position of the cable 10 is reliably guided to a certain position.
On the other hand, the hole diameter of the through hole 4c of the end rubber 4a provided in the rear stage has a margin compared to the cable diameter, and is not in contact unless the cable 10 moves significantly. This is to prevent a situation where the lubricant applied to the cable 10 is wiped with the end rubber 4a at the subsequent stage.
[0020]
As described above, since a sufficient amount of lubricant is discharged from the lubricant application port 3 and the lubricant is applied to the cable 10, the lubricant is applied to the entire circumference of the cable 10. Excess lubricant is dripped. In this case, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4A, the liquid drops to the lower surface of the case 4b of the cable guiding portion 4, flows along the lower surface of the case 4b, and finally drops from the case 4b of the cable guiding portion 4. .
[0021]
The lubricant collecting tank 5 is provided for collecting the remaining lubricant dripped from the cable guiding portion 4 and is provided under the opening of the cable guiding portion 4 to reliably collect the lubricant dripping from the opening.
As shown in FIG. 2, a pump 6 for pumping is arranged in the lubricant collecting tank 5, and is provided for pumping the lubricant to the lubricant storage tank 1.
[0022]
The pump for pumping 6 collects and sends out the remaining lubricant collected in the lubricant collecting tank 5. One end of a pumping conduit 7 is connected to the pumping pump 6, and the other end of the pumping conduit 7 is led to the lubricant storage tank 1. The lubricant sent from the pump 6 for pumping is discharged to the lubricant storage tank 1 through the pumping conduit 7, and the lubricant circulates starting from the lubricant storage tank 1 and returns to the lubricant storage tank 1 again. Form.
[0023]
In this way, by discharging a sufficient amount of lubricant from the lubricant application port 3, the lubricant can be applied around the entire surface of the cable, and uneven application can be eliminated.
In addition, although a large amount of remaining lubricant is dropped without being applied by being discharged in large quantities, the remaining lubricant is collected and returned to the lubricant storage tank 1 and applied to the cable 10, so that the lubricant is wasted. This situation is avoided.
[0024]
Now, as the lubricant is applied to the cable, the lubricant decreases. When the lubricant is lost, a situation occurs in which a cable not coated with the lubricant is extended. Therefore, measures are taken to reduce lubricant.
The lubricant storage tank 1 and the lubricant collection tank 5 are provided with a liquid level meter 8 for measuring the liquid level of the lubricant and outputting liquid level data. The liquid level meter 8 can have upper and lower lines. If it is between this lower limit and the upper limit, it can be determined that there is a proper lubricant, and if it falls below the lower limit, it is determined that the lubricant is insufficient.
[0025]
The liquid level output is output by a display unit (not shown) connected to the liquid level meter 8.
It is detected that the liquid level meter 8 in the lubricant storage tank 1 is below the lower limit of the predetermined liquid level, or the liquid level meter 8 in the lubricant collection tank 5 is lower than the lower limit of the predetermined liquid level. If it is detected that there is a lubricant, it is possible to provide alarm means for alerting the worker that the lubricant has decreased. For example, as a specific example of the alarm means, attention can be drawn visually by a display unit (not shown) and aurally by a sound emitting unit (not shown), and cable feeding can be stopped.
In this way, when the lubricant has run out of the lubricant storage tank 1, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a cable not coated with the lubricant is sent.
[0026]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the liquid level meter 8 of the lubricant storage tank 1 or the lubricant collection tank 5 may be output to the control unit 9 as liquid level data for control. In this way, the control unit 9 can detect whether or not the liquid level of the lubricant has reached a predetermined liquid level based on the liquid level data output from the liquid level meter 8. As a detection method, for example, the following determinations (1) and (2) are performed.
[0027]
(1) When the lubricant in the lubricant storage tank 1 is between the lower limit and the upper limit of the predetermined liquid level, it is determined that the lubricant is good regardless of the liquid level in the lubricant collection tank 5, and the warning means is used to urge replenishment of the lubricant. There is no control that issues an alarm .
(2) When a lubricant lubricant reservoir 1 is in the lower limit of the liquid level of the lubricant collecting tank 5 even if the lower limit of the predetermined liquid level to the upper limit is fried draw lubricant from the lubricant collecting tank 5 Since it is possible to replenish the lubricant storage tank 1 with the lubricant, it is determined that the lubricant is still good, and the alarm means does not control to issue a warning for invoking the replenishment of the lubricant. When it is below the lower limit of the predetermined liquid level and below the lower limit of the liquid level of the lubricant collecting tank 5, it is judged that the lubricant is insufficient, and the alarm means described above urges the replenishment of the lubricant. Control to issue an alarm for.
[0028]
In order to make the lubricant in the lubricant storage tank 1 reach the upper limit liquid level when the detection as in (2) above is made, that is , when the lubricant in the lubricant storage tank 1 has not reached the lower limit liquid level. The control unit 9 outputs control data for controlling the pump 6 for pumping, and the pump 6 for pumping performs a pumping operation in accordance with the control data output from the control unit 9, and the lubricant after pumping. When sufficient lubricant has been pumped into the storage tank 1 ( that is, when the lubricant in the lubricant storage tank 1 has reached the upper limit liquid level ), the pumping operation can be stopped.
[0029]
Further, the pumping pump 6 can be always operated without using the control unit 9. Even in such a configuration, a certain amount of lubricant does not overflow from the lubricant storage tank 1, and the state where the lubricant storage tank is always filled is maintained.
Moreover, since the lubricant storage tank 1 and the lubricant collection tank 5 also have a liquid level gauge for monitoring, the worker is appropriately instructed to replenish the lubricant, and the state where the lubricant storage tank is always filled is maintained. It will be.
[0030]
Subsequently, another implementation will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a cable feeding system including a lubricant application device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows cable delivery work in the cable delivery drum field. In the cable drum delivery operation, the lubricant application device 100 applies the lubricant to the cable 10 delivered from the cable drum 110 and is sent to the pipe line 70 via the connection pit 30 by the cable delivery roller 120. Thus, the lubricant application device 100 can be used in each work place.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a lubricant application device that uniformly applies a lubricant to be applied to a cable, and realizes a reduction in wasted lubricant and a reduction in work costs by workers. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a cable feeding system including a lubricant application device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a lubricant application device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating each configuration of the lubricant application device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating each configuration of the lubricant application device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a cable feeding system including a lubricant application device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lubricant storage tank 2 Falling conduit 2a Water stop valve 3 Lubricant application port 3a Lubricant outlet 4 Cable guide part 4a End surface rubber 4b Case 4c Through hole 4d Cut surface 5 Lubricant collection tank 6 Pump for pumping 7 Liquid for pumping 8 Surface level meter 9 Control unit 9a Core wire inlet 9b Core wire inlet 9c Core wire inlet 10 Cable 20 Pipe 30 Connection tunnel 40 Cable feeder 50 Guide roller 60 Extra length storage roller 70 Pipe 80 Storage rack 100 Lubricant application device 110 Cable Drum 120 Cable feed roller

Claims (3)

A lubricant storage tank for storing a lubricant to be applied to the cable;
A conduit for dropping, which is connected to the lubricant storage tank and allows the lubricant to flow down from the lubricant storage tank by its own weight;
A lubricant application port that conducts with the dropping conduit and discharges the flowing lubricant;
A cylindrical case in which the lubricant application port is disposed, an annular end surface rubber provided on the introduction side of the case so that the inner periphery contacts the cable, and provided on the lead-out side of the case And an end rubber on the inner side of the case that comes into contact with the cable, and the end surface rubber on the introduction side of the case contacts the outer periphery of the cable to remove foreign matter on the outer periphery of the cable. Lubricant is applied to the cable by guiding the cable, which passes through the inner peripheral side of the individual end face rubbers and is passed through to the falling position of the lubricant discharged from the lubricant application port. the lubricant is homogenized by cable outer peripheral surface while Nuguisari excess lubricant cable outer periphery of the end surface rubber discharge side comes into contact with the outer periphery of the cable, the cable induced to dropping by flowing along the fallen lubricant to the case bottom surface And parts,
A lubricant collection tank for collecting the remaining lubricant dripped from the cable guiding portion ;
A pump for pumping up the remaining lubricant collected in the lubricant collecting tank;
A pumping conduit that is in communication with the pump for pumping and discharges the lubricant sent from the pump for pumping into the lubricant storage tank;
A lubricant application device comprising: The lubricant application device according to claim 1,
It is equipped with a liquid level meter that measures the liquid level of the lubricant stored in the lubricant storage tank and outputs the liquid level data.
Based on the liquid level data to determine whether the lubricant reaches the liquid level of the lower limit, start running pumped fried pump when the lower limit of liquid level fried draw lubricant into the lubricant reservoir A control unit that outputs control data for stopping the operation of the pump when the upper liquid level is reached ;
A lubricant application device comprising: The lubricant application device according to claim 2,
A liquid level meter that measures the liquid level of the lubricant stored in the lubricant collection tank and outputs the liquid level data;
As the lubricant reservoir and on the basis of the liquid level data lubricant collection tank lubricant determines whether the reached the liquid surface level of the lower limit, either raise an alarm to the alarm unit when the lower limit of liquid level A control unit for outputting control data to be commanded to
A lubricant application device comprising:

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