JPS63223B2 - - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a saddle welder which can rationalize welding operation and can prevent defective welding due to miss that will be made by an operator, by permitting a required pressing force to be held automatically for a prescribed time, in a heating and melting step and a pressing and bonding step. CONSTITUTION:In accordance with the diameter of a pipe, the heating and melting time, a pressing time and a cooling time have been programed, and in each step, when a prescribed pressing force is retained, a position detection sensor C issues an electrical signal. The pressing force is held by a lock apparatus D in accordance with the electruc signal until a prescribed time for each step is attained, and the pressing force is released by a pressure releasing mechanism F in accordance with the prescribed time. The programs can be automatically changed by a program switching mechanism E in accordance with the change in the size of the pipe and the saddle. The pipe is held by a pipe clamp A and the saddle is held by a saddle holder.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a saddle fusion machine suitable for use in fusion joining a synthetic resin saddle and a synthetic resin pipe, which are used to connect, for example, a branch pipe to a synthetic resin pipe.

Conventionally, metal pipes have been used as city gas conduits, but medium density polyethylene pipes have appropriate rigidity and flexibility as city gas conduits, and are semi-permanent without the problem of underground corrosion unlike metal pipes. It has an excellent property that it can be used for many purposes.

To connect a branch pipe to a main pipe made of polyethylene, a polyethylene saddle is usually used, and the joint surface of the pipe with the saddle and the joint surface of the saddle with the pipe are heated and melted with a heater, and the joint surface of the molten pipe is heated and melted. Fusion bonding is performed by pressing the bonding surface of the saddle with the bonding surface of the saddle with a certain pressure, and leaving it for a certain period of time to cool and solidify.

The present applicant has devised a saddle fusion machine suitable for use in such fusion bonding, and has filed an application for registration of a utility model.

First, this will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The part indicated by A as a whole is a tube clamp that clamps a tube, and B is a saddle holder that holds a saddle. The pipe clamp A consists of a two-split clamp, one of which is a fixed clamp part 1 and the other part is a movable clamp part 2 that can be opened and closed with respect to the fixed clamp part 1. 3 is a bolt that tightens the fixed side clamp part 1 and the movable side clamp part;
Numeral 4 is a lock release handle for unlocking the clamp, 5 is a clamp opening/closing handle for opening and closing the clamp, and 6 is an intermediate member whose one end is connected via a long hole to the rod portion 4b of the lock release handle 4 by a shaft 7. A clamp opening/closing hook is connected to the movable clamp part 2 by a shaft 8, and 9 is a pin that is attached to the fixed clamp part 1 and engages with the hook 6. In addition, 10 is a pipe correction clamp for correcting bends in the pipe, and 11 is a tightening bolt thereof. The saddle holder B includes a cylindrical body 12 into which a saddle is fitted (see FIG. 7), a slide lock 14 having a saddle fixing bolt 13, etc., which fixes the saddle fitted into the cylindrical body 12. are a pair of left and right guide shafts 41, one end of which is fixed to the fixed side clamp part 1 of the pipe clamp A;
Slide along 41. 15 is a lever for pressing the slide block 14, that is, the saddle holder B toward the tube clamp A; 16 is a support member 42 that supports the fusion machine together with the fixed side clamp part 1 of the tube clamp A; a heater support that supports the heater; It is a member.

Clamp the tube with tube clamp A, hold the saddle with saddle holder B, move slide block 14 of saddle holder B toward tube clamp A, sandwich the heater (not shown) between the tube and the saddle, and connect the heater and tube. And make sure the heater and saddle are in close contact. Next, when the lever 15 is raised 90 degrees from the solid line position 15 to the chain line position 15' shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the tube P and saddle S are pressed against the heater with a predetermined pressing force by the action of a cam 17 built into the slide block 14 and a pressing spring 18. At the same time, the two pins built into the slide block 14 are pushed out in the direction of the guide shafts 41, 41 on both sides against the force of a spring (both not shown) by the action of the cam 17. Since the pin is inserted into the provided hole (not shown), free movement of the slide block 14 can be fixed and a predetermined pressing force can be maintained. (Start of heating and melting process). After a predetermined period of time has passed (the heating and melting process is completed), the lever 15 is returned to its original position and the slide block 14 is retracted, and the saddle S
Since the tube P was able to be separated from the heater, the heater was removed. Move the slide block 14 forward again to bring the saddle and tube into close contact, and then release the lever 1.
5 by 90 degrees from the position 15 indicated by the solid line to the position 15' indicated by the chain line, it is possible to maintain the pressing force and fix the slide block 14 in the same way as in the heating and melting process. (Start of crimp bonding process). Note that at this time, the holes provided in the guide shafts 41, 41 into which the two pins built into the slide block 14 fit are naturally different from the holes used for heating, and are slightly larger than the holes used for heating by the thickness of the heater. It will fit into the hole provided closer to the pipe clamp A. Next, after a predetermined period of time has passed (completion of the crimp bonding process), tighten the saddle fixing bolt 1.
3 is loosened, the lever 15 is returned to its original position, and the saddle is cooled for a predetermined period of time to complete the fusion bonding between the saddle and the tube.

Although the saddle fusion machine according to the earlier application described above is capable of maintaining a predetermined pressure bonding force for a necessary period of time without requiring manual labor, it has a drawback that requires skill to operate. In other words, the time required for each process such as heating and melting, crimping, and cooling varies depending on the size of the pipes and saddles to be welded, so it takes a lot of effort for the worker to memorize the times, and the worker has to wait a while after joining work. There were also problems such as forgetting the time required for each process when the process was far away. Also, to measure time, a stopwatch with an easily visible second hand is usually used, but to measure the time for each process, the second hand of the stopwatch must be quickly returned to zero and restarted, or the cumulative time of each process can be measured. Since calculations had to be made, a dedicated timekeeper was required. Furthermore, there was also the problem that the required time for each process was incorrect and the process was moved to the next process.

The present invention has been made by focusing on the above-mentioned problems of the previously filed invention, and the present invention programs the heating and melting process of the tube and the saddle, and the crimp joining process of the tube and the saddle, and performs a predetermined process in each process. A position detection sensor that detects when the pressure has reached and is maintained and issues an electrical signal, a lock device that uses the electrical signal from the position detection sensor to maintain the pressure until the specified time for each process is reached, and additionally required. Welding is achieved by providing a pressurizing force release mechanism that automatically releases the pressurizing force when the predetermined time is reached, and a program switching device that automatically switches the program according to changes in the size of the tube and saddle. This is designed to streamline the work and prevent defective fusions caused by operator mistakes.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Figures 1 and 2, C is a position detection sensor that detects the pressing force according to the position of saddle holder B and emits an electric signal, and D is a position detection sensor that locks saddle holder B by the signal from position detection sensor C. A lock device, E a program switching device that switches programs according to the size of the tube and saddle, and F a pressure release mechanism.

First, the position detection sensor C and the locking device D will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The position detection sensor C and the locking device D are pivotally connected to the slide block 14 of the saddle holder B by a shaft 19. First, to explain the position detection sensor C, reference numeral 20 is a rack whose one end is supported by a shaft 21 in the middle of the lever 15, and a block 22.
It penetrates inside and meshes with the extension gear 23. 24
As the lever 15 moves in accordance with the rotation of the gear 23, the slide block 14 of the saddle holder B moves.
This is the main body of a position detection sensor C that detects the position of a spring (not shown) inside and emits an electric signal. Next, to explain the lock device D, 25
is a meshing rack that meshes with the rack 20 to lock the movement of the rack 20, and 26 and 26 are meshing racks 25.
27 is block 2, a guide shaft that guides the movement of
2 is a spring interposed between the engaging rack 25 and the engaging rack 25; 28 is an operating shaft whose one end engages with the engaging rack 25 and the other end engages with the lever 29; 30 is an electric signal from the position detection sensor C; 31 is a spring that connects the solenoid 30 and the lever 29.

Therefore, when the lever 15 is raised from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the chain line in FIG. and rotates the gear 23. When the rotation of the gear 23 is detected and the saddle holder B comes to the programmed position, the position detection sensor C emits an electric signal, and this electric signal energizes the solenoid 30 of the locking device D, which simultaneously counts the heating and melting time. The timer starts running. solenoid 30
When energized, the lever 29 is rotated clockwise in the figure via the spring 31 to lift the operating shaft 28 against the spring 27. When the actuating shaft 28 is lifted, the engaging rack 25 is guided by the guide shafts 26, 26 and lifted and engages with the rack 20, thereby locking the movement of the rack 20. Since one end of the rack 20 is pivotally connected to the lever 15, the movement of the lever 15 is also locked, so that the saddle S held in the saddle holder B and the pipe P held in the pipe clamp A are relative to the heater. It is held in a crimped position with a specified pressing force. On the other hand, the timer that counts the heating and melting time sounds an alarm when a predetermined time elapses, for example 5 seconds, and sounds another alarm when the predetermined time is reached. When the specified time has elapsed, the solenoid 30 is demagnetized, the lever 29 is rotated counterclockwise, and the engaging rack 25 is pushed downward by the spring 27, and the engaging rack 25 is disengaged from the rack 20.
can slide freely within the block 22.
This unlocks the movement of the lever 15 and allows the slide block 14 of the saddle holder B to be operated freely. In other words, since the slide block 14 cannot be operated until the specified pressure melting time has elapsed, it is impossible to proceed to the next step until the specified time has elapsed.

When the heating and melting process is completed, the lever 15 is unlocked and the slide block 14 of the saddle holder B is released.
, the slide block 14 is moved back, the heater is removed, and the slide block 14 is moved forward again toward the tube clamp A that holds the tube P, bringing the saddle S and the tube P into close contact, and lever 1 is moved back.
5 from the solid line position 15 in Figure 2 to the chain line position 15'
If it takes too much time from removing the heater to crimping and bonding, the temperature of the molten part will drop and defective fusion will occur. This causes the lever 15 to become inoperable. In this case, the fused portion of the tube must be cut off, the saddle replaced, and the welding operation restarted from the beginning.

If you want to move from the heater removal to the pressure bonding process without any hassle, just like in the heating and melting process, by raising the lever 15, the rack 20 moves together with the lever 15, slides inside the block 22, and connects the gear 2.
3 and lever 1 is detected by position detection sensor C.
5, the position detection sensor C emits an electric signal, and this electric signal causes the solenoid 30 to
is energized and the movement of the rack 20 is locked by the locking device D. Therefore, the lever 15 is locked, and the saddle S held by the saddle holder B is held in a position where it is pressed against the pipe P held by the pipe clamp A with a prescribed pressing force. When the specified time has elapsed, the solenoid 30 is demagnetized, the lock 20 is unlocked by the locking device D, and the lever 15 is released.
movement becomes free. In addition, the solenoid 30 of the locking device D is activated by an electric signal from the position detection sensor C.
At the same time as the solenoid 3 is energized, a timer that counts the crimp bonding time is activated, and the timer sounds an alarm before the specified time, and when the specified time is reached, the solenoid 3
When 0 is demagnetized, another alarm is generated. After the specified cooling time has elapsed, an alarm will sound indicating the end of the fusion, so turn off the main switch, finish the fusion, loosen the saddle fixing bolt 13, move the slide block 14 backward, open the pipe clamp A, and secure the saddle S. Remove the fusion machine from the pipe in which the and pipe P are integrated.

FIG. 6 shows a pressurizing force release mechanism F that automatically releases the pressurizing force when the heating melting time or the pressure bonding time reaches a specified time. A rod 3 extending through a guide member 34 integrally attached to the slide block 14 of the saddle holder B.
5 is wound around the rod 32 and lever 1 of the rod 32
This is a pressurizing force release spring interposed between the pivot point with the guide member 34 and the guide member 34. The action is based on the above-mentioned aspect, and when the rack 20 and the engaging rack 25 are disengaged from each other in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lever 15 can be operated freely, so that the restoring force of the spring 35 causes the lever 15 to move as shown in solid lines in FIG. It is pushed back to the state shown in . As a result, the two pins (not shown) built into the slide block 14 are disengaged from the holes (not shown) formed in the guide shafts 41, 41, and the pressure inside the slide block 14 is released. Since the spring 18 (FIGS. 7 and 8) is restored, the pressing force is automatically released. Conversely, in FIG. 6, when the lever 15 is raised from the position indicated by the solid line to the position 15' indicated by the chain line, the spring 35 is compressed and energy is accumulated to release the pressing force.

7 and 8 show a program switching device E that detects the sizes of the tube P and saddle S and automatically switches the program according to the size, and 36 is a cam 17 attached to a lever 15 and a pressurizing spring 18. 37 is the shaft interposed between the shaft 36
A size switching lever attached near the tip of the
38 is a notch for regulating the movement of the size switching lever 37, 39 is a limit switch lever, and 40 is a limit switch button. When the sizes of the tube P and saddle S are changed from the state shown in FIG. 7 to the state shown in FIG. 8, the necessary pressing force changes accordingly, so the spring 18 is compressed and
It increases the preload force of the size switching lever 37.
This is done by pushing forward and hooking it into the notch 38. At this time, the limit switch lever 39 is pushed using the size switching lever 37, so an electric signal is generated and the program is automatically switched.

Figure 9 and Table 1 show an example of heating melting time, crimping and cooling time for pipes with pipe diameters of 50 mm and 57 mm.The heating melting time, crimping and cooling times are programmed in advance according to the pipe diameter. According to the program, the position detection sensor emits an electric signal and the locking device locks the saddle holder.The lock is released after a specified period of time, and the necessary pressing force is applied during the heating melting process and the pressure bonding process. The pressing force is automatically maintained for a certain amount of time.

Table-1 Time (S) 50A 75A T ₁ +T ₅ 20 25 T ₂ +T ₅ 210 210 T ₅ (5) Variable (5) Variable T ₆ 5 5 Specified length mm 22 28 As explained above, according to the present invention For example, when fusion bonding a tube and a saddle, each process necessary for fusion bonding, that is, heating melting and pressure bonding, is programmed, and the pressure that reaches a predetermined pressure is maintained in each process. a position detection sensor that detects this and issues an electrical signal, a lock device that uses the electrical signal from the position detection sensor to maintain the pressing force until the specified time for each process is reached, and a lock device that is installed as necessary. By installing a pressurizing force release mechanism that automatically releases the pressurizing force when the welding process is completed, and a program switching device that automatically switches programs according to changes in the size of the tube and saddle, we are able to streamline the welding process. It is possible to prevent defective fusion due to human error, and to solve the problems of the previously filed invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 show a saddle fusion machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 1 being a plan view and FIG. 2 being a side view. Figures 3 to 5 show the position detection sensor and locking device used in the saddle fusion machine shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view, and Figure 4 is the E-A line side of Figure 3. The sectional view and FIG. 5 are front views. FIG. 6 is a side view of the pressure release mechanism.
7 and 8 are front views of the program switching device. FIG. 9 is a program diagram showing an example of pressure melting, heater removal, pressure bonding, and cooling time in fusion joining of a tube and a saddle. A...Pipe clamp, B...Saddle holder, C
...Position detection sensor, D...Lock device, E...
...Program switching device, F...pressure release mechanism,
1, 2...Half pipe clamp, 12...
...Saddle support cylindrical body of saddle holder, 14...
Slide block, 15... Lever, 17... Cam, 18... Pressure spring, 20... Rack, 23... Position detection sensor gear, 24...
Main body of position detection sensor, 25...meshing lock,
29... Lever, 30... Solenoid, 35... Pressure release spring, 37... Size switching lever, 39... Limit switch lever, 40
... Limit switch button, 41 ... Guide shaft, 42 ... Heater receiver.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pipe clamp that clamps a synthetic resin tube and a saddle holder that holds a synthetic resin saddle, the tube is clamped by the tube clamp, the saddle is held by the saddle holder, and the tube is clamped. A saddle holder holding a saddle is moved toward the clamp with a pipe clamp fixed, and the joint surface of the pipe with the saddle and the joint surface of the saddle with the pipe are heated and melted using a heater, and the molten pipe is melted. A saddle fusion machine that presses the joint surface of the saddle and the molten saddle tube together, waits for cooling and solidification, and then fusion-bonds the tube and the saddle.The machine heats the tube and saddle. During the melting process, the saddle holder that holds the saddle moves, and when the tube clamp that holds the holder and tube reaches a predetermined position programmed with respect to the heater and the tube and saddle are pressed against the heater, the saddle holder is locked. During the crimping and joining process of the tube and saddle, the saddle holder that holds the saddle moves, and the holder moves to a specified position programmed with respect to the tube clamp that holds the tube, and the tube and saddle are mutually connected. A position detection sensor generates a signal to lock the saddle holder when pressed against the saddle, and a signal from the position detection sensor locks the saddle holder. and a locking device for unlocking the saddle holder when the saddle holder reaches a predetermined crimping time programmed in the crimp joining process of the tube and the saddle. 2. The saddle fusion machine according to claim 1, further comprising a program switching device that detects the size of the tube and switches the program according to the size of the tube. 3. The saddle fusion machine according to claim 2, further comprising a pressurizing force release mechanism having a spring that automatically releases the pressurizing force when a predetermined time has elapsed.