JP7486778B2 - Piping processing tools - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a piping processing tool used when replacing existing piping with new piping.

Patent Document 1 discloses a pipe renewal method for replacing existing pipes with new pipes, and a cutting tool used in the pipe renewal method to process existing pipes. In Patent Document 1, water supply pipes are used as the existing pipes.

In the pipe renewal method of Patent Document 1, a winch with a wound wire is prepared at the branch side of the existing pipe, which is the main water supply pipe, and a cutting tool is prepared at the meter side, which is the house side. Next, the wire is passed from the branch side inside the existing pipe to the meter side, and the cutting tool is attached to the wire exposed on the meter side. Then, the winch is operated to wind up the wire, and the existing pipe is divided with the cutting tool, after which the existing pipe is removed and renewed with new pipe.

JP 2005-34941 A

However, depending on the type of existing piping, it may not be possible to divide the existing piping in one go using the cutting tools described above, and different processing may be required. In such cases, multiple different processing steps may need to be performed on the existing piping.

However, the tool used in the pipe renewal method of Patent Document 1 involves pulling from the branch side to the meter side (from one side to the other), so each time multiple processes are performed on the existing pipe, a wire must be passed through the existing pipe, and a different tool must be placed on the opposite side of the winch for each process. In such cases, the pipe renewal method is time-consuming to perform.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a piping processing tool that reduces the effort required to replace existing piping with new piping.

The pipe processing tool according to the present invention comprises a main body portion capable of entering an existing pipe having an inlet and an outlet formed at both ends, and a connection portion that connects the main body portion to a rope-like body that guides the main body portion into the existing pipe, the main body portion comprises a base portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the existing pipe, and a processing means that protrudes radially outward from the base portion and acts on the existing pipe to process the existing pipe, the connection portion is configured to connect the base portion to the rope-like body so that the rope-like body extends from both ends of the base portion in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction, and the processing means is configured to perform different processing when entering the existing pipe from one end side of the base in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction to process the existing pipe and entering the existing pipe from the other end side of the base in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction to process the existing pipe.

With the above configuration, the rope-like bodies extend from both ends of the base, and different processing can be performed when entering the existing piping from one end of the base and when entering the existing piping from the other end of the base. Therefore, by utilizing the reciprocating motion within the existing piping caused by pulling with the rope-like bodies at both ends, different processing can be performed in the case of a forward movement in which one end of the base enters the existing piping from the inlet to the outlet of the existing piping, and in the case of a return movement in which the other end of the base enters the existing piping from the outlet to the inlet of the existing piping, making it possible to perform efficient processing of the existing piping.

The base may also be configured to have a small diameter portion at each end in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction that tapers toward each end.

With this configuration, both ends of the base are tapered, making it easier to insert the main body into the existing piping, both in the case of forward movement where one end of the base enters the existing piping at the front, and in the case of return movement where the other end of the base enters the existing piping at the front.

The connection portion may be configured to connect the base to the cord-like body so that the base can rotate relative to the cord-like body about an axis perpendicular to the radial direction of the base.

According to the above configuration, the base can rotate within the existing piping around an axis perpendicular to the radial direction of the base. Therefore, even if the processing means receives a force in a direction that rotates around the axis of the existing piping due to resistance from the existing piping during processing of the existing piping, the base rotates according to the force and releases the force, so that the force applied to the processing means is reduced. Also, even if the rope-like body is twisted and rotates to untwist it, only the rope-like body rotates and the rotational force of the rope-like body is not transmitted to the base, so that it is possible to prevent force from being applied to the processing means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the processing means during processing of the existing piping.

The processing means may also include a plurality of processing parts that protrude radially outward from the base and are arranged at different positions in a circumferential direction about the base, the direction being perpendicular to the radial direction.

According to the above configuration, multiple processing parts protrude radially outward from the base and are arranged at different circumferential positions of the base. Therefore, by moving the main body back and forth from the inlet side to the outlet side of the existing piping, or from the outlet side to the inlet side, multiple circumferential positions of the existing piping can be processed simultaneously, improving the efficiency of the existing piping processing work.

The piping processing tool of the present invention can reduce the effort required to replace existing piping with new piping.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of pipes in a building that are the subject of a pipe renewal method using a pipe processing tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a combination of a winch and a pipe processing tool used in the pipe renewal method. 1A is a half cross-sectional view of the base, FIG. 1B is a plan view of a first blade attached to the base, FIG. 1C is a plan view of a second blade attached to the base, and FIG. 1D is a plan view of a third blade attached to the base. (a) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a preparation stage of a groove forming process in the pipe renewal method. (b) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a groove forming process (first stage). (c) is a radial cross-sectional view of an existing pipe after a groove forming process (first stage). (d) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a groove forming process (second stage). (e) is a radial cross-sectional view of an existing pipe after a groove forming process (second stage). (a) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a groove forming process (third stage) in the piping renewal method. (b) is a radial cross-sectional view of the existing piping after the groove forming process (third stage). (c) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a groove forming process (fourth stage). (d) is a radial cross-sectional view of the existing piping after the groove forming process (fourth stage). (e) is an axial cross-sectional view showing an existing piping division process. (f) is a radial cross-sectional view of the existing piping after the existing piping division process. 1A is an axial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between a base portion to which a first blade is attached and a connection portion, FIG. 1B is an axial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between a base portion to which a second blade is attached and a connection portion, and FIG. 1C is an axial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between a base portion to which a third blade is attached and a connection portion. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an expanding tool included in a processing means according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view of the diameter expansion tool, FIG. 1B is a side view of the diameter expansion tool, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. A piping renewal method according to a second embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a preparation stage of a groove forming process in the piping renewal method. (b) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a groove forming process (first stage). (c) is a radial cross-sectional view of an existing piping after the groove forming process (first stage). (d) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a groove forming process (second stage). (e) is a radial cross-sectional view of an existing piping after the groove forming process (second stage). 1A is an axial cross-sectional view showing an existing pipe cutting process, FIG. 1B is a radial cross-sectional view of the existing pipe after the existing pipe cutting process, FIG. 1C is an axial cross-sectional view showing a diameter expansion process, and FIG. 1D is a radial cross-sectional view of the existing pipe after the diameter expansion process. (a) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between a base portion to which a first blade is attached and a connection portion. (b) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between a base portion to which a second blade is attached and a connection portion. (c) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between a base portion to which a third blade is attached and a connection portion. (d) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a connection state between a base portion to which a diameter expansion tool is attached and a connection portion. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A pipe processing device using a pipe processing tool according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The pipe processing device using the pipe processing tool of the first embodiment is used in a pipe renewal method in which an existing pipe is cut and removed, and then a new flexible pipe is installed. An example of an existing pipe is a water supply pipe or a hot water supply pipe. First, an overview of hot water supply pipes and water supply pipes used in a typical building (house) will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, hot water pipes Y and cold water pipes in a house are generally covered at least partway along the pipe axis (the direction along the pipe axis) with flooring F. In addition, the inlet 5 and outlet 6 based on the hot water and cold water supply directions in the pipe axis direction are exposed from the flooring F.

The hot water supply pipe Y and the water supply pipe have the same configuration, so if we explain how the hot water supply pipe Y also serves as a water supply pipe, the hot water supply pipe Y can be a multi-layer pipe in which a metal layer such as an aluminum alloy or the like is sandwiched between protective material G (insulating material), for example a polyethylene pipe (PE pipe), a cross-linked polyethylene pipe (PE-X pipe), a polybutene pipe (PB pipe), or a metal-reinforced resin pipe. The hot water supply pipe Y is fixed in the pipe axial direction by a band I or the like to a slab B or the like arranged under the floor material F.

A pipe renewal method according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a pipe processing device including the pipe processing tool will be specifically described.
(1) Grooving process: a process of forming a groove S along the pipe axis direction on the inner peripheral surface of the existing pipe Po;
(2) Existing pipe dividing process: A process of dividing the existing pipe Po into a plurality of cut pieces Ps by cutting the existing pipe Po in the radial direction and the pipe axial direction;
(3) Pulling-out process: A process of pulling out the cut piece Ps from the protective material G;
(4) New pipe insertion process: a process of passing the new pipe Pn through the inside of the protective material G along the inner circumferential surface of the protective material G;
This pipe renewal method is also performed when the axial direction of the existing pipe Po is extended in a straight line or when the existing pipe Po has a curved portion.

Before describing the pipe renewal method, we will explain the pipe processing equipment for the sake of convenience. Note that the terms "left" and "right" below are used for the sake of convenience, and the directions are not limited to those described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the piping processing device includes an inlet side rope-like body, an inlet side traction unit (right winch 1R, which is a hoist), an outlet side rope-like body, an outlet side traction unit (left winch 1L, which is a hoist), and a piping processing tool 9. The piping processing tool 9 includes a main body 7 and a connection unit 12.

The inlet side towing unit and the outlet side towing unit are arranged one by one on the inlet 5 side and outlet 6 side of the work target, i.e., the hot water supply pipe Y. The inlet side towing unit has a right winch 1R arranged on the inlet 5 side of the hot water supply pipe Y, and the outlet side towing unit has a left winch 1L arranged on the outlet 6 side of the hot water supply pipe Y. In addition, a right wire 11, which is an inlet side rope-like body, is wound around the right winch 1R so as to be freely wound and unwound, and a left wire 11, which is an outlet side rope-like body, is wound around the left winch 1L so as to be freely wound and unwound. In this way, the right winch 1R and the left winch 1L are used as a pair.

When the right and left wires 11 of the right winch 1R and left winch 1L are connected (connected via the base 2, etc.), one winch in the pair exerts a pulling force on the wire 11, while the other winch receives the pulling force and pulls out the wire 11. Note that the drive system for either winch may be manual or may be electric or use the power of a prime mover.

The half-sectional shape of the base 2 in a side view is shown in FIG. 3(a). The base 2 is substantially cylindrical, and has a small diameter portion 23 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. That is, the both ends of the base 2 in the direction perpendicular to the radial direction are provided with a small diameter portion 23 that tapers toward each end. The outer diameter dimension of the maximum diameter portion of the base 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the existing pipe Po to be worked on. Therefore, the base 2 receives less resistance from the existing pipe Po, and can move smoothly inside the existing pipe Po. In addition, since the small diameter portion 23 is provided at both ends in the direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the base 2, the base 2 can easily enter the existing pipe Po in both cases, whether the base 2 is entered into the existing pipe Po with one end side at the front or the other end side at the front. Furthermore, the base 2 has a processing means mounting portion 22 to which the processing means 4 is attached.

A connection receiving portion 21 is provided at the radial center of both longitudinal ends of the base 2. The connection receiving portion 21 is configured to be connectable to the connection portion 12 described below, and in this embodiment, the connection receiving portion 21 is a female thread and configured to be screwed into the male thread portion 162 of the connection portion 12 described below.

The side surface of the base 2 is provided with a processing means attachment section 22 to which the processing means 4 can be attached. The processing means attachment section 22 is provided with a through hole 221 formed so as to penetrate from the side surface of the base 2 through approximately the axis of the base 2 to the rear side surface, and a screw hole 222 formed 90 degrees offset in the circumferential direction from the through hole 221. In this embodiment, the screw hole 222 is female-threaded, and a male-threaded fixing screw (not shown) is fitted into the screw hole 222 to fix the processing means 4.

The base 2 has two processing means mounting parts 22, offset in an axial direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the base 2. Specifically, the processing means mounting parts 22 are provided so that the through holes 221 of each processing means mounting part 22 are perpendicular to each other when viewed in the axial direction of the base 2.

Here, the processing means 4, which is a part constituting the main body 7 and is attached to the processing means mounting part 22, will be described. In this embodiment, the processing means 4 is planar (flat) and protrudes radially outward when attached to the base 2, and has a blade 41 that cuts the existing pipe Po. In this embodiment, the processing means 4 includes a blade 41, specifically, a blade 41 at both ends, as a processing blade that cuts the existing pipe Po from the inner diameter side, and three types of blades, a first blade 4A (FIG. 3(b)), a second blade 4B (FIG. 3(c)), and a third blade 4C (FIG. 3(d)), which have different radial lengths when attached to the processing means mounting part 22, are used depending on the depth of the cut into the existing pipe Po. In other words, the processing means 4 includes multiple types of processing members so that different processing can be performed on the existing pipe Po.

Each of the blades 4A to 4C is formed in a flat shape, with the blades 41 disposed on both sides of the blade plate 8. The blades 41 have different heights based on the blade plate 8. That is, the lower side of the blade 41 becomes the cutting edge 42, and the higher side becomes the cutting base 43, and the blade plate 8 is attached to the processing means attachment part 22. The tip 421 of the cutting edge 42 has the lowest height based on the blade plate 8 of all the blades 41, and its height is approximately the same as the side of the base 2 when each of the blades 4A to 4C is attached to the base. The cutting edge 42 is configured so that its height increases as it approaches the cutting base 43.

The blade plate 8 has an attachment hole 8a formed in the center. When a fixing screw is fitted into the threaded hole 222, the tip of the fixing screw fits into the attachment hole 8a, and the blades 4A to 4C are attached to the base 2. In other words, each processing blade as a blade has an attachment part for the processing means attachment part in the center, and blades at both ends. The tips of the blades at both ends are provided in the same direction, specifically, facing in the direction of one side in the width direction of the blade plate.

In this embodiment, the processing means 4 is configured to be able to change the depth of the cut made in the existing pipe Po. The use of each of the blades 4A to 4C will be described later.

A connection part 12 is provided at the tip of the wire 11. The connection part includes a cable-like body side connection part connected to the cable-like body, a base side connection part connected to the base, and a rotational connection part that connects both connection parts so that the base side connection part can rotate with respect to the cable-like body side connection part. The connection part 12 includes a connection part main body 13 as a cable-like body side connection part that fits the tip of the wire 11, a bearing 14 as a rotational connection part built into the connection part main body 13, a shaft part 15, and a threaded part 16 as a base side connection part that is provided coaxially with the shaft part 15. The threaded part 16 includes an operating part 161 for rotating the threaded part 16, and a male threaded part 162 that can be connected to the connection receiving part 21 of the base 2. Specifically, the connection part main body 13 is attached to the outer ring 141 of the bearing 14, and the shaft part 15 is attached to the inner ring 142 of the bearing 14. The operating part 161 is provided with a larger diameter than the male threaded part 162. In this embodiment, the connection parts 12 are provided at one axial end side and the other axial end side of the base 2, and one connection part 12 connects one wire 11 to one end side of the base 2, and the other connection part 12 connects the other wire 11 to the other end side of the base 2. The connected wires 11 extend coaxially relative to the base 2.

Next, the pipe renewal method will be described in order. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer periphery of the existing pipe (pipe for hot water supply) Po is covered with a tubular protective material G. The existing pipe Po and the new pipe Pn are resin pipes, for example, polyethylene pipes. The resin pipes can also be multi-layer pipes with a metal layer such as an aluminum alloy sandwiched between them. The protective material G has an inner diameter dimension equal to or larger than the outer diameter dimensions of the existing pipe Po and the new pipe Pn, is made of a flexible material such as foamed resin, for example, foamed polyethylene, and has the function of insulating and retaining heat in the radial direction. When the protective material G is subjected to an external force in the radial outward direction from each pipe Po, Pn, it is sufficient that the protective material G has a degree of flexibility such that the axis of the inner diameter is deformed to be shifted, or the inner diameter portion is compressed and deformed in the radial outward direction.

In this embodiment, the protective material G only needs to have enough flexibility to deform so that its axis is displaced or it is compressed in the radial direction when the protective material G receives an external force from each of the pipes Po and Pn when inserting or removing the existing pipe Po and new pipe Pn. Incidentally, in conventional construction methods (e.g., JP 2004-150145 A), when the existing pipe is pulled out of the protective material or when the new pipe is passed through the existing protective material, if a protective material made of a flexible material such as foamed resin is used, the pipe breaks through the protective material at the corners or the band fixing parts and is damaged. In other words, conventional construction methods could not be used on protective materials made of flexible materials.

The new pipes Pn after the pipe renewal are arranged in the same form as the existing pipes Po in the building C. The inlet 5 and outlet 6 in the axial direction of the existing pipes Po are exposed above the floor material F, and the inlet 5 of the existing pipes Po is connected to, for example, a water heater (not shown) via a header H, and the outlet 6 is connected to, for example, a bathroom faucet V. The existing pipes Po are fixed to the slab B located below the floor material F at a predetermined interval in the axial direction by bands I or the like so that they do not behave (do not move wildly) due to the water pressure when water flows through them. During this fixing, the protective material G is subjected to an external force in the radial inward direction by the bands and slab B, and the outer diameter of the protective material G, which is made of a flexible material, is compressed and reduced by the external force.

The above-mentioned (1) groove forming process is a process of forming a groove (slit) S along the pipe axis direction on the inner peripheral surface of the existing pipe Po. Before the groove forming process, no processing is performed on the existing pipe Po. Prior to the groove forming process, as shown in FIG. 4(a), a right wire 11 with a connection part 12 is passed from a right winch (not shown) through the existing pipe Po. At this time, the right wire 11 is pushed from the right to the left by the worker's hand, and is taken out from the left end of the existing pipe Po.

Figure 4 (b) shows the first stage of the groove forming process. In the state shown in Figure 4 (a), the tip of the right wire 11 and the tip of the left wire 11 are connected by the base 2 by screwing the male threaded portion 162 of the connection portion 12, 12 provided on the right wire 11 and the left wire 11, respectively, into the connection receiving portion 21, 21 of the base 2 (see Figure 6 (a)). At this time, when screwing the male threaded portion 162 and the connection receiving portion 21, the male threaded portion 162 can be screwed into the connection receiving portion 21 by rotating the operating portion 161, which is provided with a larger diameter than the male threaded portion 162. Here, since the operating portion 161 is provided with a larger diameter than the male threaded portion 162, the rotation operation of the screw portion 16 can be easily performed.

In the first stage of the groove forming process, a first blade 4A is attached to the base 2. FIG. 6(a) shows the connection state between the base 2 to which the first blade 4A is attached as the processing means 4 and the connection parts 12, 12. The first blade 4A is a groove cutting blade whose blade 41 (blade tip 42) does not reach the thickness of the existing pipe Po. As described above, the first blade 4A is attached to the through hole 221 and is held down by a fixing screw against the mounting hole 8a of the blade plate 8, so that the first blade 4A is attached to the through hole 221. In this way, the blade as the processing part included in the processing means 4 is detachable from the base 2, and when attached to the base 2, the blades 41 at both ends protrude radially outward from the base 2.

In this state, the right winch 1R is operated (rotated) to move the main body 7 from the left end to the right end of the existing pipe Po in the figure so that the blade 41 of the first blade 4A comes into contact with the inner surface (inlet 5) of the existing pipe Po. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(c), two radially opposing grooves S are formed on the inner circumference of the existing pipe Po.

At this time, the connection part 12 is connected to the cable-like body connection part by a rotation coupling part so that the base side connection part can rotate relative to the cable-like body connection part. Specifically, a bearing 14 is built into the connection part 12, and a shaft part 15 and a threaded part 16 that can rotate coaxially with the shaft part 15 are attached rotatably relative to the wire 11, so that the base part 2 connected to the threaded part 16 can also rotate relative to the wire 11. Even if the wire 11 is twisted and rotates to untwist it, only the wire 11 rotates, and the rotational force of the wire 11 is not transmitted to the base part 2, so that it is possible to prevent force from being applied to the first blade 4A.

In addition, since the base 2 can rotate around an axis perpendicular to the radial direction of the base 2 in the existing piping Po, even if the first blade 4A receives a force in a direction that rotates around the pipe axis of the existing piping Po due to resistance from the existing piping Po during the grooving process, the base 2 rotates in accordance with the force and releases the force, so the force applied to the first blade 4A is reduced.

Figure 4 (d) shows the second stage of the groove forming process. Two first blades 4A are attached to the base 2 so that they are perpendicular to each other when viewed in the axial direction. The orientation of the cutting edge 42 of the first blade 4A is reversed in the tube axial direction from the first stage. In other words, the processing means (processing part) is configured so that the processing direction can be switched between one axial end side of the base 2 and the other axial end side of the base 2. Specifically, the first blade 4A is once removed from the processing means mounting part 22, the direction of the cutting edge 42 is reversed in the tube axial direction, and then reattached to the processing means mounting part 22 to change the direction of the cutting edge 42. Here, since the mounting hole 8a is provided in the center part of the blade plate 8, even if the cutting edge of the first blade 4A is reversed, the position of the mounting hole 8a remains the same as before the cutting edge was reversed, so that the first blade 4A with the cutting edge reversed can be easily attached to the processing means mounting part 22. With the two first blades 4A attached to the base 2, operate the left winch 1L to move the main body 7 from the illustrated right end of the existing piping Po to the illustrated left end.

At this time, one of the first blades 4A is aligned with the groove S formed in the first stage. In other words, the blade 41 of one of the first blades 4A does not actively cut the existing pipe Po, but functions as a "guide" that prevents the main body 7 (particularly the other attached first blade 4A) from shifting circumferentially relative to the existing pipe Po.

Then, the blade 41 of the other one of the first blades 4A is moved so as to contact the inner surface of the existing pipe Po at a position shifted by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction from the groove S formed in the first stage. In other words, by making one of the two first blades 4A follow the groove S as a guide, the other first blade 4A provided on the base 2 at a position shifted by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction from the first blade 4A moves along the trajectory of the one first blade, that is, a position shifted by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction from the groove S formed in the first stage. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4(e), four grooves S are formed on the inner periphery of the existing pipe Po at 90 degree intervals in the circumferential direction. As described above, by making one of the first blades 4A function as a "guide", the four grooves S can be reliably formed. In this way, the first blade 4A performs the next processing to form the groove S from a state in which no processing has been performed on the existing pipe Po. In addition, the first blade 4A performs the next process (different from the previous process) to form four grooves S from the two grooves S.

Furthermore, at this time, the bearing 14 provided in the connection portion 12 allows the base 2 to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the radial direction of the base 2 in the existing piping Po. Therefore, even if the groove S formed in the first stage is wavy in the existing piping Po, the base 2 rotates and the first blade 4A moves along the wavy groove S formed in the first stage, guiding the main body portion 7, so that the second stage of the grooving process can be performed stably.

Figure 5 (a) shows the third stage of the groove forming process. One second blade 4B is attached to the base 2. The second blade 4B is also a groove cutting blade whose blade 41 (blade tip 42) does not reach the thickness of the existing pipe Po, but the second blade 4B has a larger protrusion in the radial outward direction than the first blade 4A. Figure 6 (b) shows the connection state between the base 2 to which the second blade 4B is attached as the processing means 4 and the connection parts 12, 12. Then, the second blade 4B is attached to the through hole 221 on the outside of the existing pipe Po, and the mounting hole 8a of the blade plate 8 is held by a fixing screw, so that the second blade 4B is attached to the through hole 221. This allows the processing means 4 attached to the base 2 to be replaced (changed) from the first blade 4A to the second blade 4B.

In this state, the right winch 1R is operated to move the main body 7 from the left end to the right end of the existing pipe Po while aligning the blade 41 of the second blade 4B with the groove S formed in the first or second stage. Here, the tip 421 of the cutting edge 42 of the blade 41 is at approximately the same height as the base 2, and the height increases toward the blade base 43, so that the tip 421 of the blade 41 of the second blade 4B fits into the groove S, making it easy to align the second blade 4B with the groove S. As a result of the movement of the second blade 4B, the two radially opposing grooves S become deeper, as shown in FIG. 5(b).

Figure 5 (c) shows the fourth stage of the groove forming process. Here again, one second blade 4B is attached to the base 2. The orientation of the second blade 4B is reversed from that in the third stage. In this state, the left winch 1L is operated to move the blade 41 of the second blade 4B from the illustrated right end (inlet 5) to the illustrated left end (outlet 6) of the existing piping Po while aligning it along a groove S other than the groove S aligned in the third stage. As a result, as shown in Figure 5 (d), the other grooves S, two grooves S that are radially opposed, become deeper. This makes the four grooves S the same depth. This completes the groove forming process.

In addition, since the outer diameter of the base 2 is close to the inner diameter of the existing piping Po, it easily serves as a guide for the first blade 4A and the second blade 4B, and therefore the depth and distance of the grooves S are uniform. In the above-mentioned grooving process, some of the multiple grooves S are formed first, and then the remaining grooves S are formed using these grooves as a guide, thereby making it possible to make the spacing between the multiple grooves constant in the axial direction. In addition, by dividing the formation of the grooves S into multiple stages and gradually deepening the grooves S, it is possible to reduce the processing resistance and form straight grooves in the axial direction. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the base 2 can be changed according to the type and size of the existing piping Po.

In the above groove forming process, some of the grooves S are formed first, and the remaining grooves S are formed using the previously formed grooves S as a guide, so that the spacing between the multiple grooves S can be made constant in the axial direction. In addition, by dividing the formation of the grooves S into multiple stages and gradually deepening the grooves S, it is possible to reduce the processing resistance and form straight grooves in the pipe axial direction. By cutting the existing pipe Po in a state in which grooves S are formed in the existing pipe Po by the above groove forming process, cutting does not fail in the existing pipe division process (for example, the width of the cut piece Ps narrows midway in the longitudinal direction and is cut), and reliable cutting in the pipe axial direction is possible. Furthermore, by cutting along the grooves S in the existing pipe division process described below, it is possible to reduce the resistance to cutting.

The above (2) existing pipe dividing process is the process that follows after the groove forming process. The existing pipe dividing process is a process in which the existing pipe Po is cut in the radial and axial directions to divide the existing pipe Po into multiple cut pieces Ps by cutting the existing pipe Po in the axial direction at multiple locations spaced apart in the radial direction. In this embodiment, the radial cuts are made at four locations spaced at regular intervals in the circumferential direction (every 90 degrees), and these cuts are made continuously in the axial direction.

Figure 5 (e) shows the existing pipe division process. Two third blades 4C are attached to the base 2. The third blade 4C is a dividing and cutting blade whose blade 41 (blade tip 42) exceeds the thickness of the existing pipe Po. For this, the third blade 4C is attached to the screw hole 222 on the outside of the existing pipe Po, and the third blade 4C is attached to the through hole 221 by pressing the mounting hole 8a of the blade plate 8 with a fixing screw, and the second blade 4B can be replaced with the third blade 4C. The third blade 4C has a larger radial projection of the blade 41 than the second blade 4B. Figure 6 (c) shows the connection state between the base 2 to which the third blade 4C is attached as the processing means 4 and the connection parts 12, 12.

Then, the right winch 1R is operated, and the main body 7 is moved from the left end to the right end of the existing pipe Po while aligning the blade 41 of the third blade 4C with the groove S that has become deeper through the third and fourth stages of the groove forming process. Here, the tip 421 of the cutting edge 42 of the blade 41 is approximately the same height as the base 2, and the height increases toward the blade base 43, so that the tip 421 of the blade 41 of the third blade 4C fits into the groove S, making it easy to align the third blade 4C with the groove S. As a result of the movement of the third blade 4C, the existing pipe Po is divided into four in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 5(f). In this way, the existing pipe Po can be divided in the circumferential direction by the third blade 4C that was replaced after the groove S formed deeply by the second blade 4B as the next processing of the existing pipe Po. In the above-mentioned existing pipe dividing process, the blade 41 is aligned to correspond to the multiple grooves S formed in the groove forming process, thereby reducing the resistance during cutting. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by dividing the existing pipe into multiple pieces at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, the shape of each cut piece Ps can be made approximately the same. Therefore, the insertion resistance when inserting the new pipe can be made uniform in the circumferential direction without bias, making it easier to insert the new pipe Pn straight.

The third blade 4C is a dividing cutting blade that exceeds the thickness of the existing pipe Po. Therefore, if the existing pipe Po has a curved portion, the curved portion may be distorted and the cross section may become distorted. Therefore, it is desirable that the blade 41 of the third blade 4C exceeds the thickness of the existing pipe Po, taking into account its height.

In this embodiment, the first blade 4A to the third blade 4C, which are part of the components of the main body 7 and have different blade 41 shapes, are attached to the base 2 so that they can be changed, and one of the right wire 11 or the left wire 11 is connected to one end of the base 2 while passing through the existing piping Po, and the other is connected to the other end of the base 2 before passing through the existing piping Po. By doing this, the main body 7 can perform different processing on the existing piping Po by moving forward through the existing pipe Po with one end of the base 2 as the leader, and moving backward with the other end of the base 2 as the leader.

The above-mentioned (3) pulling out process is a process in which multiple cut pieces Ps are pulled out from the protective material G. This removes the existing piping Po from inside the protective material G. The worker pulls out each cut piece Ps by hand or with a tool such as pliers. Basically, they are pulled out one by one, but in some cases, multiple pieces can be pulled out at once. Each cut piece Ps is a band-like shape curved in the width direction, and four pieces are lined up along the circumferential direction.

The cross-sectional shape of each cut piece Ps is smaller than the cross-sectional shape of the internal space of the protective material G, and each cut piece Ps has a high degree of freedom of movement in the radial and circumferential directions in the internal space. Therefore, it is possible to pull out the existing piping Po from the protective material G with a much smaller pulling force than if the existing piping Po were pulled out of the protective material G in its pipe state without cutting it. In addition, since there is little possibility that the protective material G will be damaged during pulling out, the existing protective material G can continue to be used. In this way, the pulling process of this embodiment is effective for protective material G made of a soft material (material that is easily damaged) such as foamed resin. It is also effective when the protective material G is subjected to an external force in the radial inward direction by a band or the like and a slab B, and is compressed and reduced in diameter.

The above-mentioned (4) new pipe insertion process is a process of passing the new pipe Pn through the inside of the protective material G while aligning it with the inner circumferential surface of the protective material G. The new pipe Pn is inserted from one end side of the protective material G to the other end side so that the new pipe Pn fits inside the protective material G from which the existing pipe Po has been removed. This completes the pipe renewal, and then both ends of the new pipe Pn are connected to the water heater and faucet V to complete the work.

In this way, in the construction method of this embodiment, work can be performed at the ends of the existing piping Po and the protective material G exposed to the outside of the building C. Therefore, the work of replacing the existing piping Po with the new piping Pn can be performed without removing the protective material G from the object on which the existing piping Po is to be installed (in this embodiment, the slab B or floor material F of the building C). In addition, the operation of each winch 1, the pulling out of the existing piping Po from the protective material G, and the insertion of the new piping Pn into the protective material G can all be performed outside the building C (more specifically, outside the closed space between the floor material F and the slab B in the building C). Therefore, there is no need to dismantle the building C, which contributes to reducing the cost of construction.

As described above, according to the pipe renewal method of this embodiment, the protective material G that covered the existing pipe Po is left fixed to the building C with a band I or the like, and this protective material G can be used as a guide when laying the new pipe Pn. Furthermore, the existing pipe division process and the pulling-out process make the pipe pulling-out work easy and less affected by the pipe laying shape.

In addition, dismantling of building C is made as unnecessary as possible when updating the piping, and no special consideration is required when installing new piping. This "special consideration" means consideration that goes beyond the minimum consideration of not creating sharp bends that could cause the piping to break. By adopting the piping renewal method of this embodiment in this way, the piping route can be roughly set when installing new piping, and there is also no need to test on-site whether the piping can be inserted and removed from the protective material G when installing new piping, so the labor required when installing new piping does not increase compared to the conventional method.

Furthermore, according to the pipe processing device used in the pipe renewal method, the left and right winches 1R, 1L are arranged one each on the inlet 5 side and the outlet 6 side of the hot water supply pipe Y, and the processing means 4 is changed outside the existing pipe Po midway along each wire 11 depending on the processing status of the existing pipe Po. That is, the processing means 4 attached to the base 2 is changed from the first blade 4A to the second blade 4B, and further changed from the second blade 4B to the third blade 4C. Then, by moving each wire 11 inside the existing pipe Po between the left and right winches 1R, 1L, it is possible to perform the next processing, which is different from the processing already performed, depending on the processing status of the existing pipe Po. This allows efficient processing of the existing pipe Po.

The pipe processing tool 9 includes a main body 7 having a base 2 and processing means 4, and a connection part 12 that connects the main body 7 to the cord-like body. The processing means 4 can perform different processing when the base 2 enters the existing pipe Po from one axial end side and when the processing means 4 enters the existing pipe Po from the other axial end side. Specifically, by changing the orientation of the blade 41 or by changing the type of the blades 4A to 4C to the base 2, as in the first to fourth stages of the groove forming process and the existing pipe division process, different processing can be performed in the case of a forward movement in which one end of the base enters from the inlet to the outlet of the existing pipe at the front, and in the case of a return movement in which the other end of the base enters from the outlet to the inlet of the existing pipe at the front, so that the existing pipe Po can be processed efficiently.

In addition, when updating new piping Pn in response to deterioration of the existing piping Po due to aging, etc., installing the new piping Pn requires less effort than replacing all of the protective material G and the existing piping Po.

Furthermore, in the piping processing tool 9 according to this embodiment, the base 2 can rotate within the existing piping Po around an axis perpendicular to the radial direction of the base 2. Therefore, even if the processing means 4 receives a force in a direction that rotates around the axis of the existing piping Po due to resistance from the existing piping Po during processing work, the base 2 rotates in accordance with the force and releases the force, so that the force applied to the processing means 4 is reduced. Also, even if the wire 11 is twisted and rotates to untwist the wire 11, only the wire 11 rotates and the rotational force of the wire 11 is not transmitted to the base 2, so that the force applied to the processing means 4 can be prevented. Therefore, the processing means 4 can be prevented from being damaged during processing work.

In addition, since the blades 41, which are the processing means 4, are arranged at multiple different circumferential positions on the base 2, multiple circumferential positions of the existing piping Po can be processed simultaneously by moving the main body 7 back and forth from the inlet 5 side to the outlet 6 side of the existing piping Po, or from the outlet 6 side to the inlet 5 side, thereby improving the efficiency of the processing work.

Furthermore, the tip 421 of the blade 41, which is the processing means 4, starts at the same height as the side of the base 2, based on the blade plate 8, and becomes higher as it approaches the blade base 43. Therefore, even if the base 2 shifts radially within the existing piping Po during the first groove forming process, the blade tip 42 can reliably make a cut into the inner circumference of the existing piping Po. Furthermore, during the second and subsequent groove forming processes and the existing piping division process, the tip of the blade tip 42 fits into the groove S formed in the previous process, making it easier for the base 2 to be guided into the groove S.

In addition, the bearing 14 provided in the connection portion 12 allows the base 2 to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the radial direction of the base 2 in the existing piping Po. Therefore, even if the groove S formed is wavy, the blade 41 moves along the wavy groove S as the base 2 rotates, and the main body portion 7 can be guided. This allows the second and subsequent stages of the groove forming process and the existing piping division process to be carried out stably.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 12. First, the piping processing device includes an inlet side rope-like body, an inlet side traction section (right winch 1R which is a hoist), an outlet side rope-like body, an outlet side traction section (left winch 1L which is a hoist), a main body 7, and a connection section 12. The inlet side rope-like body, the inlet side traction section, the outlet side rope-like body, the outlet side traction section, and the connection section 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The configuration of the piping processing device in the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the processing means 4 in the main body 7 is different.

The processing means 4 will now be described. In the first embodiment, the blades 41 were arranged on both sides of the blade plate 8, but in the second embodiment, the blades 41 are formed on only one side of the blade plate 8. The base 2 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and the blade plate 8 and the through hole 221 are formed in a relative shape. As shown in Figures 12(a) to (c), the main body 7 is provided with the processing means 4 including the first blade 4A, second blade 4B, and third blade 4C. The attachment state of the first blade 4A, second blade 4B, and third blade 4C to the base 2 is the same as in the first embodiment.

With reference to Figures 7 to 9 and Figure 12 (d), the diameter expansion tool 44, which is one of the processing means for processing the existing pipe Po to expand its inner diameter, will be described. The diameter expansion tool 44 protrudes radially outward over the entire circumference of the base 2, and performs processing to expand the diameter of the existing pipe Po. The surface is formed in a truncated cone shape with an inclined surface 48 that is inclined from one side to the other. One side is an outer diameter surface formed with a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the existing pipe Po, and the other side is an outer diameter surface formed with a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the existing pipe Po.

Specifically, the expanding tool 44 includes a semi-frustum-shaped expanding part 44a and an expanding part 44b in which the position of a notch 471 described later is different from that of the expanding part 44a. The expanding part 44a includes an expanding part 45 that protrudes radially outward from the base 2 and expands the existing pipe Po, and an attachment part 49 for attaching the expanding part 44a to the base 2. The expanding part 45 includes a small diameter part 46 whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the existing pipe Po at one end in the axial direction, a large diameter part 47 whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the existing pipe Po, and an inclined surface 48 that connects the small diameter part 46 and the large diameter part 47. The attachment part 49 includes a plate-shaped plate part 81, and an attachment hole 81a is formed in the center of the plate part. The thickness of the plate part 81 is set to be half or less of the thickness of the through hole 221. Furthermore, a notch 471 is formed in the large diameter portion 47, and the notch 471 is formed so that when the diameter expansion tool 44 is attached to the base 2, the screw hole 222 and the notch 471 are aligned in the axial and circumferential directions. The shape of the notch 471 is semicircular, and when the diameter expansion parts 44a and 44b are mated, the two notches 471 come together to form a hole large enough to insert a fixing screw.

The position of the notch 471 of the expansion part 44b is different from that of the expansion part 44a, and the notch 471 is formed at a position symmetrical about the longitudinal direction of the plate part. Therefore, when the expansion part 44a and the expansion part 44b are attached to the base 2, the expansion tool 44 is attached to the base 2 so that the notches 471 face each other.

When attaching the expansion parts 44a and 44b to the base 2, the expansion tool 44 is attached to the base 2 by inserting each plate part 81 into the through hole 221, passing a fixing screw through the notch 471 and the screw hole 222, and fixing the mounting hole 81a with the tip of the fixing screw. Here, since the mounting hole 81a is provided in the center of the plate part 81, the mounting hole 81a appears in the same position when the plate part 81 is inserted from one end side of the through hole 221 and when the plate part 81 is inserted from the other end side of the through hole 221. Therefore, even if the expansion part 44a is inserted from one end side of the through hole 221 and the expansion part 44b is inserted from the other end side of the through hole 221, or even if the expansion part 44a is inserted from the other end side of the through hole 221 and the expansion part 44b is inserted from one end side of the through hole 221, the expansion tool 44 can be attached to the base 2, so there is no need to worry about the direction of attachment.

In this way, in the second embodiment, the processing means 4 includes a processing blade and an expanding tool.

A piping renewal method according to the second embodiment will be described. The piping renewal method according to this embodiment is as follows:
(1) Grooving process: a process of forming a groove S along the pipe axis direction on the inner peripheral surface of the existing pipe Po;
(2) Existing pipe cutting process: a process of cutting the existing pipe Po in the radial direction using the groove S;
(3) Diameter expansion process: a process of expanding the diameter of the existing pipe Po;
(4) New pipe insertion process: a process of passing the new pipe Pn through the inside of the existing pipe Po;
and

Prior to the groove forming process, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the right wire 11 is pushed from the right (inlet 5) to the left (outlet 6) from the right winch 1R (not shown) and is taken out from the left end of the existing pipe Po. This is done manually by the worker.

Figure 10(b) shows the first stage of the groove forming process. In the state shown in Figure 10(a), the tip of the right wire 11 and the tip of the left wire 11 are connected by the base 2 by screwing the male threaded portion 162 of the connection portion 12, 12 provided on the right wire 11 and the left wire 11, respectively, into the connection receiving portion 21, 21 of the base 2. Also, in the first stage of the groove forming process, a first blade 4A shown in Figure 12(a) is attached to the base 2.

In this state, the right winch 1R is operated to move the main body 7 from the left end to the right end of the existing pipe Po in the figure so that the blade 41 of the first blade 4A comes into contact with the inner surface (inlet 5) of the existing pipe Po. As a result, as shown in Figure 10 (c), one radial groove S is formed on the inner circumference of the existing pipe Po.

Figure 10 (d) shows the second stage of the groove forming process. A second blade 4B is attached to the base 2 (Figure 12 (b)). The orientation of the second blade 4B is reversed in the pipe axial direction from the first stage. With one second blade 4B attached to the base 2, the left winch 1L is operated to move the main body 7 from the right end of the existing pipe Po to the left end of the existing pipe Po. At this time, the second blade 4B is made to align with the groove S formed in the first stage. In this way, the processing means 4 is configured to be able to perform different processing by replacing the blades in a forward movement in which one end of the base enters from the inlet to the outlet of the existing pipe at the front, and in a return movement in which the other end of the base enters from the outlet to the inlet of the existing pipe at the front.

In other words, by using the second blade 4B, the groove S formed in the first stage is used as a guide to form a deeper groove S than in the first stage, as shown in FIG. 10(e). In this way, the groove S is formed along the pipe axis direction on the inner surface of the existing pipe Po. This completes the above-mentioned (1) groove forming process.

Figures 11(a) and 11(b) show the existing pipe cutting process. A third blade 4C is attached to the base 2. The blade 41 of the third blade 4C protrudes radially greater than that of the second blade 4B. In this state, the right winch 1R is operated to move the main body 7 from the left end to the right end of the existing pipe Po as shown in the figure, while aligning the blade 41 of the third blade 4C with the groove S that has become deeper through the second stage of the groove making process. As a result, a single disconnection portion S1 is formed in the radial cross section as shown in Figure 11(b).

Next, the (3) diameter expansion process will be described. In the diameter expansion process, the processing means 4 is changed from the third blade 3C to the diameter expansion tool 44 shown in FIG. 12(d). The third blade 4C, which is the processing means 4 used in the existing pipe cutting process, is removed from the base 2, and the plate parts 8 of the two diameter expansion parts 44a and 44b are inserted into the through hole 221 from one end side and the other end side of the through hole 221 so that the small diameter part 46 faces the existing pipe Po. The third blade 4C can be easily replaced with the diameter expansion tool 44 by fitting a fixing screw into the screw hole 222 through the notch 471 and engaging the tip of the screw with the mounting hole 81a. At this time, the thickness of the plate part 81 is set to half or less of the thickness of the through hole 221, so that two plate parts 81 can be inserted into the through hole 221.

In the state of FIG. 11(c), the main body 7 is at the right end in the figure, so one side of the main body 7 is placed at the right end (inlet 5) in the figure. At this time, one side of the diameter expansion tool 44 attached to the main body 7 is a small diameter part 46 formed with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the existing pipe Po, so the left wire 11 is operated to firmly fit the diameter expansion tool 44 inside the existing pipe Po, and the main body 7 equipped with the diameter expansion tool 44 is moved from the right end to the left end in the figure. Then, since the other side of the diameter expansion tool 44 is an outer diameter surface formed with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the existing pipe Po via the inclined surface 48, the interval of the divided part S1 is widened at one point in the radial direction of the existing pipe Po, as shown in FIG. 11(d). Note that this processing (deformation) is performed within the range of the internal space of the protective material G. This completes the diameter expansion process. In this way, by replacing the cutting tool with the diameter expansion tool 44, the processing means 4 can perform different processing in a forward movement in which one end of the base enters the existing pipe from the inlet to the outlet, and in a return movement in which the other end of the base enters the existing pipe from the outlet to the inlet.

Next, (4) the new pipe insertion process will be described. In the new pipe insertion process, the new pipe Pn is inserted into the enlarged existing pipe Po. This process ends when the new pipe Pn is inserted along the existing pipe Po from one end to the other end of the existing pipe Po. At this time, since the existing pipe Po was split at a dividing portion S1 at one location on the radial cross section in the existing pipe cutting process, the new pipe Pn can easily pass through the existing pipe Po.

In the pipe processing device used in the pipe renewal method of this embodiment, the processing means 4 is changed from a blade 41 to an expansion tool 44, and the existing pipe Po is expanded from the inside by the expansion tool 44, making it easier to pass the new pipe Pn through the existing pipe Po.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in another embodiment, a plurality of body parts 7 with different processing means 4, for example, a body part 7 with a first blade 4A and a body part 7 with a second blade 4B, are provided at a distance from each other in the middle part of the right wire 11 and the left wire 11, and the first blade 4A is made to perform different processing (machining a groove at a different angle) in two directions toward the inlet 5 side or the outlet 6 side of the existing piping Po. Next, the second blade 4B may be made to perform different processing (machining a groove at a different angle) in two directions toward the inlet 5 side or the outlet 6 side of the existing piping Po. Alternatively, the second blade 4B may be replaced with a diameter expanding tool 44. In this way, the processing means 4 can be replaced from one processing means 4 of the plurality of body parts 7 to another processing means 4. And according to this configuration, by changing from one processing means 4 to another processing means 4, various shape changes suitable for the target processing can be made.

In the first and second embodiments, the processing means 4 is changed by replacing the blade 41, but the processing means 4 is not limited to being changed by replacing parts. For example, the blade may be extendable, and the processing means 4 may be changed by changing the amount of protrusion, or the position at which the blade plate 8 is fixed may be made changeable, making it possible to change the amount of protrusion of the blade. In any case, the processing means includes a processing section that processes existing piping, and the type of processing can be selected by making the processing section replaceable, interchangeable, or changeable in shape, etc., so that different processing can be performed on the existing piping Po.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the cut pieces Ps of the existing pipe are pulled out and then the new pipe Pn is inserted, but this is not limited to this. For example, in the existing pipe dividing process, two third blades 4C may be attached to the base 2, and the existing pipe Po may be divided into four in the circumferential direction. Then, the new pipe Pn may be inserted from one end side of the protective material G toward the other end side so that the new pipe Pn is aligned with the inside of the protective material G and the cut pieces Ps. Note that the division of the existing pipe Po may be divided into two or more parts, and is not limited to the above-mentioned four parts.

In the case of the above construction method, the installation of the new pipe Pn is less laborious because the extraction process is omitted. Furthermore, since the divided existing pipe Po surrounds the new pipe Pn, there is also the advantage that the new pipe Pn is reinforced. In addition, if the protective material G is made of a flexible material, the inner diameter of the protective material G can be changed, so that the expansion of the cut pieces Ps in the radial outward direction due to the insertion of the new pipe Pn can be absorbed by changing the inner diameter of the protective material G, making the insertion smoother. Furthermore, if the protective material G is made of a flexible material, even when the new pipe Pn passes through a part where the protective material G is tightened by the band I and reduced in diameter, the inner diameter of the protective material G can be changed, so that the insertion resistance can be reduced. Furthermore, if the existing pipe Po is divided at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, the shape of each cut piece Ps can be made approximately the same shape, so that the insertion resistance when inserting the new pipe Pn can be made uniform without bias in the circumferential direction, making it easier to insert the new pipe Pn straight.

In the first and second embodiments, the main body 7 and the wire 11 are connected by screwing, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the main body 7 may be configured to include the wire 11, two crimping rings 18, and the base 2 having a hole 24 through which the wire 11 can pass in the axial direction. With this configuration, the wire 11 is passed through the hole 24 of the base 2, and the crimping rings 18 are provided on both ends of the base 2 so as to sandwich the base 2. By crimping the crimping rings 18 at a position close to the base 2 of the wire 11, the movement of the base 2 in the longitudinal direction of the wire 11 can be restricted, and the base 2 can be attached to the wire 11. As a result, the base 2 is connected to the wire 11 so that the wire 11 extends from both ends of the base 2.

Furthermore, the method of attaching the processing means to the base is not limited to fixing using screw holes and screws, and the processing means may be attached to the base by another fixing method. For example, the processing means may be attached to the base by fitting the base and the processing means together, or the processing means may be attached by providing a locking mechanism to the base.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the protective material G may have the function of insulating and retaining heat, or it may not have the function of insulating and retaining heat and may simply cover the piping (the existing piping Po or the new piping Pn). In addition, the protective material G does not need to cover the entire piping in the axial direction, and may cover only a part of the piping in the axial direction. In addition, the protective material G may have a radial cross section that has a slit in the circumferential direction that faces the dividing portion S1.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the left and right winches 1R and 1L are used as the towing section, but various devices that can pull a cord-like material such as a wire 11 or a chain in the longitudinal direction can be used, even if they are not winches (hoists).

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the base 2 is generally cylindrical, but may have other shapes as long as it is possible to support the processing means 4 for processing the existing piping Po without impeding movement in the axial direction within the existing piping Po. The blade 41 attached to the base 2 may be either a fixed blade or a rotary blade. The shape of the blade 41 is not particularly limited. In the above embodiments, the blade 41 is capable of cutting in one direction in the axial direction of the pipe, but the blade 41 may be capable of cutting in both directions in the axial direction of the pipe.

In the first embodiment, the number of divisions of the existing pipe Po that has undergone the groove forming process and the existing pipe dividing process is not limited to four as in the above embodiment, but may be three or less, or five or more. In particular, the number of divisions may be appropriately determined depending on the diameter and length of the existing pipe Po, taking into consideration the ease of pulling out the cut pieces Ps from the protective material G in the pulling out process. In addition, the cutting trajectory may be inclined with respect to the pipe axis direction to form a spiral cut piece Ps.

In the first and second embodiments, the number of stages and the processing contents in the groove forming process are not limited to those shown in the above embodiments (first to fourth stages), but can be changed in various ways. Furthermore, the case where the existing pipe is cut along the groove S formed in the groove forming process has been described, but this is not limited to this, and the blade 41 of the first blade 4A or the second blade 4B may be fitted into the groove S and used as a guide to cut the parts other than the groove S with the blade 41. In any case, by cutting the existing pipe Po using the groove S as a guide, it is possible to reliably divide it without cutting failure.

In the second embodiment, the notch 471 of the expansion tool 44 is provided on both the expansion parts 44a and 44b, but this is not limited thereto. A notch into which a fixing screw can be inserted may be provided on one side of the expansion part at a position that coincides with the screw hole 222 in the axial and circumferential directions.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the expansion tool 44 is configured as a single expansion tool by combining two half-split expansion parts, but this is not limited to this, and any configuration is acceptable as long as it can be attached to the base 2 and has a shape that can expand the diameter of the existing piping Po.

In addition, in the embodiment, a blade and an expanding tool are exemplified as processing means, but the processing means are not limited to these, and various means that can be attached to the base and used to process existing piping are included in the processing means.

1L...left winch, 1R...right winch, 11...wire, 12...connection part, 13...connection part main body, 14...bearing, 15...shaft part, 16...screw part, 161...operation part, 162...male threaded part, 18...crimping ring, 2...base, 21...connection receiving part, 22...machining means mounting part, 221...through hole, 222...screw hole, 23...small diameter part, 4...machining means, 4A...first blade, 4B...second blade, 4C...third blade, 41...blade, 42...blade tip, 421...tip, 43 ...Blade base, 44...expansion tool, 44a...expansion part, 44b...expansion part, 45...expansion section, 46...small diameter section, 47...large diameter section, 471...notch, 48...inclined surface, 49...mounting section, 5...inlet, 6...outlet, 7...main body, 8...blade plate/plate section, 8a...mounting hole, 81...plate section, 81a...mounting hole, 9...piping processing tool, B...slab, C...building, F...floor material, G...protective material, Pn...new pipe, Po...existing pipe, Ps...cut piece, S...groove, S1...separation section, Y...hot water pipe

Claims (3)

The device includes a main body portion having an inlet and an outlet formed at both ends thereof and capable of entering an existing pipe, and a connecting portion for connecting the main body portion to a cord-like body that guides the main body portion into the existing pipe,
The main body includes a base having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the existing piping, and a processing means protruding radially outward from the base and acting on the existing piping to process the existing piping,
The connecting portion is configured to connect the base portion to the cord-like body such that the cord-like body extends from both ends of the base portion in a direction perpendicular to a radial direction,
The processing means is configured to process the existing pipe while moving inside the existing pipe, and is configured to perform different processing when entering the existing pipe from one end side in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the base and processing the existing pipe from the other end side in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the base,
The processing performed by the processing means on the existing pipe is a grooving process for forming a groove along a pipe axis direction on an inner peripheral surface of the existing pipe, a cutting process for cutting the existing pipe in a radial direction and a pipe axis direction, or a diameter expanding process for expanding an inner diameter of the existing pipe,
The base portion includes a reduced diameter portion at both ends in an axial direction perpendicular to a radial direction,
The processing means includes a blade having a cutting edge for performing the grooving or the cutting, and a diameter expanding tool for performing the diameter expansion,
The blade can be attached and detached to the base such that the blade tip faces one end in the axial direction,
The expansion tool has a small diameter portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the existing piping, and a large diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the existing piping, and is a piping processing tool that is configured to be attached and detached to the base so that the small diameter portion faces toward the other axial end . The device includes a main body portion having an inlet and an outlet formed at both ends thereof and capable of entering an existing pipe, and a connecting portion for connecting the main body portion to a cord-like body that guides the main body portion into the existing pipe,
The main body includes a base having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the existing piping, and a processing means protruding radially outward from the base and acting on the existing piping to process the existing piping,
The connecting portion is configured to connect the base portion to the cord-like body such that the cord-like body extends from both ends of the base portion in a direction perpendicular to a radial direction,
The processing means is detachable from the base and is configured to perform different processing when entering the existing piping from one end side in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the base to process the existing piping and when entering the existing piping from the other end side in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the base to process the existing piping ,
The base portion includes a reduced diameter portion at both ends in an axial direction perpendicular to a radial direction,
The processing means includes a blade having a cutting edge for forming a groove along a pipe axis direction on an inner peripheral surface of the existing pipe, or for cutting the existing pipe in a radial direction and a pipe axis direction,
The blade is a piping processing tool that is configured so that it can be attached and removed from the base with the cutting edge facing one axial end, and so that it can be attached and removed from the base with the cutting edge facing the other axial end . The device includes a main body portion having an inlet and an outlet formed at both ends thereof and capable of entering an existing pipe, and a connecting portion for connecting the main body portion to a cord-like body that guides the main body portion into the existing pipe,
The main body includes a base having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the existing piping, and a processing means protruding radially outward from the base and acting on the existing piping to process the existing piping,
the base portion includes a processing means mounting portion to which the processing means can be attached,
The processing means mounting portion has a through hole formed so as to penetrate the base portion,
the processing means has an insertion portion that can be inserted into the through hole and blades provided on both ends of the insertion portion, and the insertion portion inserted into the through hole is fixed to the processing means mounting portion, whereby the processing means is mounted to the processing means mounting portion ;
The blades on both ends of the insertion portion are arranged so that the cutting edges face in the same direction, and the piping processing tool protrudes radially outward from the base when the insertion portion is fixed to the processing means mounting portion .