Sealant position detection method and position detection system

Abstract

To detect a position of a sealant arranged inside of an outer wall, even though a decorative material on which multiple tiles are arranged is provided on a substrate of the outer wall.SOLUTION: A sealant position detection method comprises: a step for radiating a wave B for multiple frequencies toward inside of an outer wall 20 from a surface of a decorative material 30, and receiving a reflection wave C reflected at the inside of the outer wall 20, for each partitioned area A partitioned on the surface of the decorative material 30; a step for calculating an amplitude ratio of the reflection waves in the respective frequencies and a phase difference of the reflection waves which are received for each partition area A; a step for using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference in each frequency for setting at least three or more kinds of clusters to each partitioned area A, then performing cluster analysis for classifying the partitioned area into any of the set clusters; a step for identifying whether each partitioned area A is a partitioned area A corresponding to a sealant 22 on the basis of the classification result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a position detection method and a position detection system for detecting the position of a sealant in an exterior wall having an exterior wall base material in which a sealant is placed between siding boards that constitute the exterior wall of a building, and a decorative material in which a plurality of tiles are arranged on the exterior wall base material. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, sealants have been placed between the siding boards that make up the exterior walls of buildings to prevent rainwater and other elements from penetrating inside the walls. The sealants harden when exposed to heat or ultraviolet light, and their ability to conform to the deformation and contraction / expansion of the exterior walls decreases, leading to a deterioration process that can lead to cracks and breaks. As deterioration progresses, rainwater can seep into the walls, causing leaks and expanding the area of ​​deterioration, so it is common to detect deterioration early and perform maintenance (replacement).

[0003] Normally, deterioration of sealants can be diagnosed by visually checking for cracks or breaks, but at this stage the sealant has already reached the end of its life and the damage may have spread due to rainwater seepage, so this is not an effective way to detect the deterioration at an early stage.

[0004] On the other hand, when considering the deterioration process, it is possible to investigate the degree of deterioration from the hardness of the sealant, and a method has been proposed in which a durometer (rubber hardness tester) is used to determine the degree of deterioration by the depth to which a needle is pressed into the sealant.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for detecting deterioration of a sealant by inserting a measuring needle into the sealant and determining the deterioration of the sealant from the load acting on the measuring needle. In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for diagnosing deterioration inside an exterior wall material using electromagnetic waves. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-129004 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-183919 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when a decorative material with multiple tiles arranged on the exterior wall substrate is laid, the sealant is not exposed from the exterior wall. Therefore, in order to determine the deterioration of the sealant using the technology shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to at least identify the position of the sealant and peel off the decorative material corresponding to that position from the exterior wall substrate. In addition, there are cases where the position of the sealant cannot be identified from the construction drawings, etc., and it is assumed that all the decorative material must be peeled off when determining the deterioration of the sealant.

[0008] For this reason, even if the technology shown in Patent Document 2 is used, it is possible to detect deterioration such as corrosion of the wood inside the exterior wall by detecting moisture in the exterior wall material from reflected electromagnetic waves, but it is difficult to detect the position of the sealant.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and its object is to provide a method and system for detecting the position of a sealant arranged inside an exterior wall, which is capable of detecting the position of a sealant arranged inside the exterior wall, even when the exterior wall base material is provided with a decorative material consisting of an arrangement of multiple tiles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In an exterior wall having an exterior wall base material in which a sealant is arranged between siding boards, and a decorative material in which a plurality of tiles are arranged on the exterior wall base material, the material configuration from the surface of the decorative material to the siding boards and the sealant is generally limited. Therefore, the inventor has made a new discovery as a result of intensive research that by irradiating electromagnetic waves from the surface of the decorative material, the positions of the siding boards and the sealant can be identified from the components of the reflected waves that pass through the decorative material and are reflected from the siding boards and the sealant.

[0011] The present invention is based on this new finding by the inventor, and the method for detecting the position of a sealant according to the present invention is a position detection method for detecting the position of a sealant in an exterior wall having an exterior wall base material in which a sealant is arranged between siding boards that constitute the exterior wall of a building, and a decorative material in which a plurality of tiles are arranged on the exterior wall base material, and includes a frequency setting step of setting a plurality of frequencies of the electromagnetic wave that transmits through the decorative material, irradiates the siding boards and the sealant, and makes it possible to detect the reflected waves reflected by the siding boards and the sealant; The method includes at least an irradiation and receiving step of receiving electromagnetic waves for each divided area on the surface of the decorative material, an amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation step of calculating an amplitude ratio of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave at each of the frequencies received for each of the divided areas and a phase difference of the reflected wave to the electromagnetic wave at each of the frequencies, a cluster analysis step of setting at least three or more types of clusters for each of the divided areas using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference at each of the frequencies and performing a cluster analysis to classify the divided areas into one of the set clusters, and a sealant identification step of identifying whether each of the divided areas is a sealant based on the classification results.

[0012] According to the method for detecting the position of a sealant according to the present invention, first, in the frequency setting step, a plurality of frequencies of electromagnetic waves are set at which reflected waves reflected by the siding board and the sealant can be detected. In the irradiation and reception step, the electromagnetic waves of the set frequencies are irradiated from the surface of the decorative material, so that the components of the reflected waves reflected by the siding board and the sealant inside the exterior wall can be received. In the amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation step, the amplitude ratio and phase difference of the reflected waves are calculated from the reflected waves received for each electromagnetic wave irradiated at each frequency. In the cluster analysis step, for each partitioned area including a sealant, each partitioned area is classified into one of the clusters using either the amplitude ratio or the phase difference. In the sealant identification step, it is possible to identify whether each partitioned area corresponds to a sealant from the classification result. Specifically, when a plurality of partitioned areas located in the sealant are classified into one of three or more types of clusters and a predetermined number or more of partitioned areas of the same type of cluster exist consecutively in one row, it is possible to determine that the partitioned areas of those clusters are sealant.

[0013] In a more preferred embodiment, four types of clusters are set in the cluster analysis step. According to experiments by the inventors, this makes it easier to classify only sealants into the same type of cluster, and allows the position of the sealant to be identified more accurately.

[0014] In a more preferred embodiment, in the frequency setting step, when the multiple frequencies are defined as a first frequency group, a second frequency group consisting of multiple frequencies different from the first frequency group is set, in the irradiation and receiving step, electromagnetic waves of the second frequency group are irradiated for each of the partitioned areas and the reflected waves reflected inside the exterior wall are received, in the amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation step, an amplitude ratio of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave in the second frequency group and a phase difference of the reflected wave to the electromagnetic wave in the second frequency group are calculated, in the cluster analysis step, a first classification result is obtained by performing a cluster analysis using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference in the first frequency group, and a second classification result is obtained by performing a cluster analysis using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference in the second frequency group, and in the sealant identification step, it is identified whether each of the partitioned areas is a partitioned area corresponding to a sealant from the first classification result and the second classification result.

[0015] According to this aspect, by using both the first classification result obtained from the first frequency group and the second classification result obtained from the second frequency group, the position of the sealing material can be identified with greater accuracy.

[0016] In a more preferred embodiment, in the cluster analysis step, the amplitude ratio and the phase difference are complex-converted into a real part and an imaginary part, and the cluster analysis is performed using at least one of the real part and the imaginary part.

[0017] According to this aspect, the cluster analysis unit generates data for each partitioned region, which is obtained by complex-transforming the amplitude ratio and phase difference of the reflected wave at each frequency into a real part and an imaginary part, as data based on the amplitude ratio and phase difference. The complex-transformed real part and imaginary part data are data on the same complex plane. Therefore, by using a combination of these real part and imaginary part data, the position of the sealant can be identified with higher accuracy.

[0018] In a more preferred embodiment, in the frequency setting step, electromagnetic waves are irradiated onto the sealing material, and a deterioration detection frequency of the electromagnetic waves is set at which a component of the reflected wave that changes in accordance with a change in hardness of the sealing material can be detected from the reflected wave reflected by the sealing material, and in the irradiation and reception step, electromagnetic waves of the deterioration detection frequency are further irradiated and the deterioration detection reflected wave is further received, and the position detection method further includes, after the sealing material identification step, a deterioration determination step of determining deterioration of the sealing material from the component of the deterioration detection reflected wave along the position where the sealing material is identified.

[0019] According to this aspect, when the deterioration detection electromagnetic wave of the deterioration detection frequency set in the frequency setting step is irradiated to the sealant from the surface of the decorative material in the irradiation and reception step, the deterioration detection electromagnetic wave passes through the decorative material and is reflected by the sealant. The electromagnetic wave reflected by the sealant (deterioration detection frequency) contains a waveform of the set deterioration detection frequency, so it can pass through the decorative material and be received. The deterioration detection reflected wave received in this way contains a component according to the hardness of the sealant, so that the deterioration of the sealant can be determined based on the component of this reflected wave in the deterioration detection step. As a result, even if a decorative material in which a plurality of tiles are arranged is provided on an exterior wall base material, the deterioration of the sealant arranged inside the exterior wall can be detected. Furthermore, after the sealant identification step, the deterioration of the sealant can be determined in the deterioration determination step from the component of the deterioration detection reflected wave obtained in the irradiation and reception step without irradiating the deterioration detection frequency again along the position where the sealant was identified.

[0020] The position detection system for a sealant according to the present invention is a position detection system for detecting the position of a sealant in an exterior wall having an exterior wall base material in which a sealant is disposed between siding boards that constitute the exterior wall of a building, and a decorative material in which a plurality of tiles are arranged on the exterior wall base material, and the position detection system irradiates electromagnetic waves that pass through the decorative material and are applied to the siding boards and the sealant, sets a plurality of frequencies of the electromagnetic waves at which reflected waves reflected by the siding boards and the sealant can be detected, irradiates the electromagnetic waves for each of the plurality of frequencies from the surface of the decorative material toward the interior of the exterior wall, and receives the reflected waves reflected inside the exterior wall, for each of the divided regions on the surface of the decorative material. and a calculation device that performs calculations to detect the position of the sealant, the calculation device comprising at least an amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation unit that calculates an amplitude ratio of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave at each of the frequencies received for each of the divided areas and a phase difference of the reflected wave to the electromagnetic wave at each of the frequencies; a cluster analysis unit that performs cluster analysis to set at least three or more types of clusters for each of the divided areas using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference at each of the frequencies and classify the divided areas into one of the set clusters; and a sealant identification unit that identifies whether each of the divided areas is a divided area that corresponds to a sealant based on the classification results.

[0021] According to the method for detecting the position of a sealant of the present invention, a plurality of frequencies of electromagnetic waves that can detect reflected waves reflected by a siding board and a sealant are set in the irradiation receiving device. Thus, the irradiation receiving device can receive the components of the reflected waves reflected by the siding board and the sealant inside the exterior wall by irradiating electromagnetic waves of the set frequencies from the surface of the decorative material. The amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation unit calculates the amplitude ratio and phase difference of the reflected waves from the reflected waves received for each electromagnetic wave irradiated at each frequency. The cluster analysis unit classifies each divided area containing a sealant into one of the clusters using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference. The sealant identification unit can identify whether each divided area is a divided area corresponding to a sealant from the classification result. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, even if a decorative material consisting of an arrangement of multiple tiles is provided on an exterior wall, the position of a sealing material arranged inside the exterior wall can be detected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] The embodiment of the present invention is a schematic perspective view for explaining the relationship between an exterior wall including a sealing material that is a target for position detection and an irradiation receiving device of a position detection system. [Diagram 2] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a position detection system according to this embodiment and a cross-section of an exterior wall along the vertical direction, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a position detection system according to this embodiment and a cross-section of an exterior wall along the vertical direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a calculation device of the position detection system shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a table showing the amplitude ratio and phase difference calculated by the amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation unit shown in FIG. 3, and a table showing the real part and the imaginary part after complex transformation. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram for explaining a complex transformation performed by a calculation device of a position detection system. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between partitioned regions and classified clusters. [Figure 7] 3 is a flow diagram of a position detection method using the position detection system shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method for identifying the position of a sealant disposed on an exterior wall and a method for detecting the position of the sealant according to Examples 1 to 3. [Figure 9] 11(a) and 11(b) are diagrams illustrating the results of position detection according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams illustrating the results of position detection according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams illustrating the results of position detection according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] 13(a) and 13(b) are graphs showing the deterioration detection results according to Examples 1 to 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, a position detection method and a position detection system for detecting the position of a sealing material will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0025] 1. Regarding exterior wall 20 As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the position detection system 10 detects deterioration of a sealing material 22 arranged between siding boards 21, 21 that form the surface of an exterior wall base material 20A of an exterior wall 20 of a building from the reflected waves of electromagnetic waves irradiated to the exterior wall 20.

[0026] In the embodiment, the exterior wall 20 is a member corresponding to the exterior wall of the building to be inspected. The exterior wall 20 includes an exterior wall base material 20A and a decorative material 30 laid on the exterior wall base material 20A. In the present embodiment, the building is a wooden house or a steel frame house, and the exterior wall base material 20A has a structure of the exterior wall 20 of the building in which a plurality of siding boards 21, 21 are provided on the exterior side and a gypsum board 28 is provided on the interior side.

[0027] Examples of the siding board 21 include ceramic siding boards formed into a board shape using cementitious and fibrous raw materials as main raw materials, and metal siding boards processed from metal materials. The ceramic siding boards may be any of wood fiber reinforced cement boards, fiber reinforced cement boards, and fiber reinforced cement-calcium silicate boards.

[0028] The sealant 22 may be either a fixed sealant or an amorphous sealant, and the material may be a resin material that utilizes mixed reaction hardening or moisture hardening, such as a silicone-based, modified silicone-based, polysulfide-based, acrylic urethane-based, or polyurethane-based material, or a material that utilizes dry hardening, such as an acrylic-based, SBR-based, or butyl rubber-based material, and is not particularly limited as long as the hardness of the sealant 22 changes due to deterioration.

[0029] A sealant 22 is filled between the siding boards 21, 21 that form the exterior wall surface of the exterior wall 20. For example, a wood board may be provided as structural plywood between the siding board 21 and the gypsum board 28. In this embodiment, vertical furring strips 24 and studs 25 are disposed between the siding board 21 and the gypsum board 28.

[0030] Between the siding board 21 and the gypsum board 28, a fireproof material (fiber-based fireproof material) 26 such as glass wool is arranged, and a heat insulating board made of a foamed resin board such as polystyrene foam may be arranged. On the back surface of the sealing material 22, a heat insulating material 24A made of foamed resin may be arranged, and on both sides of the heat insulating material 24A, a pair of holding materials 24B, 24B made of polystyrene resin may be arranged to sandwich the foamed resin material that holds the heat insulating material 24A. A ventilation layer may be formed between the siding board 21 and the fireproof material 26. A joint joiner made of metal or resin that joins the siding boards 21, 21 together may be arranged on the back surface of the sealing material 22. In addition, instead of the heat insulating material 24A and the holding material 24B, as shown in FIG. 8, a metal plate 29A, a resin plate 29B, or a wooden plywood 29C may be arranged on the back surface of the sealing material 22.

[0031] A joint tape (butyl tape) 33 made of, for example, butyl rubber is attached along the sealant 22 to cover the sealing material 22 on the opposing edges of the siding boards 21, 21. The joint tape 33 can absorb displacement of the siding boards 21, 21. Mesh members 34, 34 are arranged on both sides of the joint tape 33 along the surface of the sealant 22, and a curing adhesive is applied to the mesh members 34, 34.

[0032] In this embodiment, the mesh members 34, 34 are arranged to sandwich the joint tape 33, but instead of the joint tape 33, the sealant 22 may be covered with the mesh member 34 as long as the decorative material 30 described later can be stably arranged on the exterior wall base material 20A via the mesh member 34. The decorative material 30 is an exterior material in which a plurality of tiles 31 are arranged on the exterior wall base material 20A. Mortar or the like is filled between the tiles 31. The tiles 31 are formed bodies whose main raw material is natural clay or minerals. The decorative material 30 is attached to the exterior wall base material 20A via an adhesive applied to the mesh member 34.

[0033] 2. Hardware of the Position Detection System 10 2-1. About the irradiation receiving device 3 The position detection system 10 includes an irradiation receiving device 3 that performs non-destructive testing of the sealing material 22 of the exterior wall 20 described above using electromagnetic waves B. As shown in Fig. 1, the irradiation receiving device 3 irradiates electromagnetic waves B of different frequencies each having a certain amplitude from the decorative material 30 of the exterior wall 20 toward the inside of the exterior wall 20, and receives reflected waves C reflected by the exterior wall 20 at each frequency, for each partitioned area A of the exterior wall 20. Fig. 1 shows, as an example, a case in which the partitioned areas A are arranged in six rows in the horizontal direction.

[0034] The irradiation receiving device 3 includes a housing 15. A handle 17 that an operator holds is provided on one side of the housing 15. Wheels 13 are provided on the other side of the housing 15 at a position facing an outer wall 20, which is an object to be inspected. A transmitter 11 and a receiver 12 are disposed inside the housing 15.

[0035] The transmitter 11 is a device that irradiates electromagnetic waves B to the exterior wall 20. The transmitter 11 is set to emit electromagnetic waves B having a predetermined amplitude and a constant frequency. The transmitter 11 irradiates the electromagnetic waves B in accordance with the rotation speed of the wheels 13. This allows the irradiation receiving device 3 (transmitter 11) to irradiate the electromagnetic waves B at constant intervals along the wall surface of the exterior wall 20 (decorative material 30) described below.

[0036] 2-2. Frequency of the electromagnetic wave B emitted by the transmitter 11 for position detection As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic wave B emitted from the transmitter 11 is a microwave, and a plurality of different frequencies are set. Specifically, in this embodiment, the irradiation receiving device 3 transmits the electromagnetic wave B through the decorative material 30, irradiates the siding board 21 and the sealing material 22 with the electromagnetic wave B, and a plurality of frequencies are set for the electromagnetic wave B that can detect the reflected wave reflected by the siding board 21 and the sealing material 22. The plurality of frequencies set in this manner correspond to the "first frequency group" in the present invention. Such a plurality of frequencies is a frequency group that can identify the siding board 21 and the sealing material 22 by cluster analysis described later, and these frequencies of the electromagnetic wave B can be set in advance by experiments or the like.

[0037] For example, in this embodiment, as described later with reference to FIG. 4, seven different frequencies F1 to F7 are set in advance, but the number of these frequencies is not particularly limited as long as the siding board 21 and the sealing material 22 can be detected from the component of the reflected wave C reflected by the sealing material 22. In addition, in the following Examples 1 to 3, five frequencies obtained in advance by experiments are set, and a frequency for deterioration detection obtained by experiments is further set. In addition, the calculation device 4 described later may extract only the data of the reflected wave C when irradiated while changing the frequency stepwise. The frequency band of the set frequency is preferably, for example, in the range of 7.0 GHz to 12.0 GHz, and a plurality of different frequencies can be set within these frequency bands. For example, in the example described later, the first frequency group is five frequencies: (1) 8.4±0.2 GHz, (2) 9.2±0.2 GHz, (3) 10.4±0.2 GHz, (4) 10.8±0.2 GHz, and (5) 11.2±0.2 GHz. The first frequency group (1) to (5) may include a frequency for degradation detection (for example, 8.0±0.2 GHz). The upper limit value of the frequency shown in (3) of the first frequency group and the lower limit value of the frequency shown in (4) match, so when such frequencies are set, the first frequency group is composed of four frequencies. Similarly, the upper limit value of the frequency shown in (4) and the lower limit value of the frequency shown in (5) match, so when such frequencies are set, the first frequency group is composed of four frequencies. Similarly, the lower limit value of the frequency in (1) and the upper limit value of the frequency for degradation detection match, so when such frequencies are set, the frequency shown in (1) of the first frequency group may be used as the frequency for degradation detection, but preferably these frequencies are set to different values. This allows the second frequency group to include a frequency for degradation detection.

[0038] In this embodiment, a first frequency group consisting of a plurality of different frequencies having a certain amplitude is set as an electromagnetic wave for position detection to detect the position of the sealant 22. However, for example, a second frequency group consisting of a plurality of frequencies different from the first frequency group may be set. Specifically, the second frequency group is a frequency group different from the first frequency group, and as long as the siding board 21 and the sealant 22 can be detected from the component of the reflected wave C reflected by the sealant 22 by the plurality of electromagnetic waves constituting the second frequency group, the number of these frequencies is not particularly limited. For example, the frequencies of the second frequency group may be any of the following: (A) a case in which some of the frequencies of the first frequency group are included, (B) a case in which all of the frequencies of the first frequency group are included and at least one frequency different from these, (C) a case in which some of the frequencies of the first frequency group are included and at least one frequency different from these, and (D) a case in which all of the frequencies of the first frequency group are included and are different from these. Note that in the embodiment described later, the case (B) is used, and the deterioration detection frequency is included as the different frequency. For example, the second frequency group includes six frequencies: (1) 8.4±0.2 GHz, (2) 9.2±0.2 GHz, (3) 10.4±0.2 GHz, (4) 10.8±0.2 GHz, (5) 11.2±0.2 GHz, and (6) 8.0±0.2 GHz. Note that, when the upper and lower limit values ​​of these frequencies are the same, different ranges may be set so that they do not match in order to improve the detection accuracy of the position of the sealing material 22.

[0039] 2-3. Frequency for detecting deterioration of electromagnetic wave B emitted by transmitter 11 In this embodiment, the electromagnetic wave B is irradiated to the sealant 22, and a deterioration detection frequency of the electromagnetic wave is set at which the component of the reflected wave C that changes according to the change in hardness of the sealant 22 can be detected from the reflected wave C reflected by the sealant 22. The deterioration detection frequency of the electromagnetic wave B is a frequency of the electromagnetic wave B at which the component of the reflected wave C that changes according to the change in hardness of the sealant 22 can be detected from the component of the reflected wave C reflected by the sealant 22 when the electromagnetic wave B is irradiated to the sealant 22 from the surface of the decorative material 30. These frequencies of the electromagnetic wave B are set as shown below. First, a test specimen of the exterior wall to be measured or a test specimen of an exterior wall similar thereto, which includes a sealant having deteriorated and undeteriorated parts, is prepared in advance. The electromagnetic wave is irradiated to the test specimen while changing the frequency stepwise so that the component of the reflected wave C that can distinguish the difference between the deteriorated and undeteriorated parts can be detected. In this way, the deterioration detection frequency optimal for detecting deterioration of the sealant 22 is set.

[0040] For example, the deterioration detection frequency is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to detect the component of the reflected wave C that changes in accordance with the change in hardness of the sealant 22 from the component of the reflected wave C that has passed through the decorative material 30 and been reflected by the sealant 22. The range of frequencies that pass through decorative materials in which general tiles are arranged, which are generally used as the exterior wall 20, and are reflected by the sealant 22 that is generally used as the exterior wall 20, is 7.0 GHz to 9.0 GHz, and it is preferable to set the deterioration detection frequency within this range, and it is particularly preferable to set the deterioration detection frequency to a frequency within the range of 7.6 GHz to 8.4 GHz (i.e., 8.0±0.4 GHz).

[0041] In this way, all frequencies consisting of the first frequency group, the second frequency group, and the deterioration detection frequency are set in the transmitter 11 of the irradiation receiving device 3, and electromagnetic waves of these frequencies are transmitted in stages. Note that if the siding board 21 and the sealant 22 can be identified by the electromagnetic waves included in the first frequency group through cluster analysis, the second frequency group does not need to be set. Similarly, if it is only necessary to detect the position of the sealant 22, the deterioration detection frequency does not need to be set.

[0042] 2-4. About receiver 12 The receiver 12 is a device that receives a reflected wave C of the electromagnetic wave B transmitted from the transmitter 11 and reflected by the exterior wall 20 (specifically, the sealing material 22). Here, the electromagnetic wave B transmitted (irradiated) by the transmitter 11 is divided into two types: one that is reflected by the surface of the decorative material 30, and one that is reflected by the siding board 21 and the sealing material 22 after being refracted, attenuated, and transmitted inside the decorative material 30, etc.

[0043] At the set frequencies of electromagnetic waves B (first frequency group and second frequency group), receiver 12 receives waves resulting from physical interference between these reflected waves as reflected waves C. Since the frequencies of electromagnetic waves B are set such that they are unlikely to be reflected or attenuated by decorative material 30 and the like, are likely to be reflected by siding board 21 and sealing material 22, and can be distinguished from each other, reflected waves C contain information for distinguishing between them.

[0044] Furthermore, when the electromagnetic wave B of the deterioration detection frequency is irradiated to the sealing material 22, the component of the reflected wave C for deterioration detection received includes information on the hardness of the sealing material 22 (i.e., deterioration of the sealing material 22). These reflected waves C are recorded in a storage device (not shown) provided in the housing 15 or a storage device (not shown) provided together with the computing device 4. In this way, the receiver 12 can receive the reflected wave C for the electromagnetic waves of the first frequency group and the second frequency, and also receive the reflected wave C for deterioration detection for the deterioration detection frequency.

[0045] The position detection system 10 includes a calculation device 4 that performs calculations for detecting the position and deterioration of the sealing material 22, and a display device 5 that displays the results of the calculations performed by the calculation device 4. In this embodiment, the calculation device 4 and the display device 5 are provided separately from the irradiation receiving device 3, but may be provided integrally with the irradiation receiving device 3.

[0046] 3. Software for Calculation Unit 4 In FIG. 3, the arithmetic device 4 includes at least an amplitude ratio phase difference calculation section 4A, a cluster analysis section 4B, a sealing material identification section 4C, and a sealing material deterioration determination section 4D.

[0047] 3-1. Amplitude ratio phase difference calculation unit 4A The amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation unit 4A calculates the amplitude ratio of the reflected wave C to the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave B at each frequency received for each divided area A, and the phase difference of the reflected wave C to the electromagnetic wave B at each frequency. Here, since the reflected wave C is a waveform in which a plurality of frequencies are synthesized, the frequency that is the main component of the reflected wave C (i.e., the frequency with the highest spectrum (largest amplitude)) may be identified by frequency analysis using FFT, and the amplitude ratio L and phase difference P may be calculated from the amplitude and phase of the reflected wave C at the identified frequency. As another method, the reflected wave C may be directly received, the peak of the received waveform may be used as the amplitude, the phase of the peak period may be obtained, and the amplitude ratio L and phase difference P may be calculated from these amplitudes and phases. FIG. 4 shows the results of the calculated amplitude ratios L1, L2, ..., L7 and phase differences P1, P2, ..., P7 for each of seven frequencies (first frequency group) F1, F2, ..., F7. When a plurality of frequencies F1 to F7 are defined as a first frequency group, electromagnetic waves B of the above-mentioned second frequency group and the deterioration detection frequency are irradiated, and when reflected waves C of these are received, the amplitude ratio L and phase difference P of the reflected waves relative to these are calculated.

[0048] 3-2. About Cluster Analysis Section 4B The cluster analysis unit 4B performs cluster analysis for each divided region A, classifying the divided regions A into a plurality of clusters, using at least one of the amplitude ratio L and the phase difference P at each frequency F1 to F7. Cluster analysis may be performed using only the amplitude ratio L at each frequency F1 to F7, or may be performed using only the phase difference P at each frequency F1 to F7. Even in these cases, according to the experiments of the inventors, it has been found that deteriorated parts of the sealing material can be detected. However, in this embodiment, the cluster analysis is performed as follows. Specifically, the cluster analysis unit 4B includes a complex conversion unit 41, an identification data allocation unit 42, a cluster classification unit 43, and a cluster classification result allocation unit 44.

[0049] 3-2-1. About the complex transform unit 41 The complex transformation unit 41 performs complex transformation on the amplitude ratios L1, L2, ..., L7 and phase differences P1, P2, ..., P7 at the frequencies F1, F2, ..., F7 for each divided region A. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, a point T corresponding to the amplitude ratio L and phase difference P is plotted on a complex plane, and the values ​​of the real part R and the imaginary part K on the real axis and the imaginary axis are calculated.

[0050] 4, it is possible to obtain the calculated real parts R1, R2, ..., R7 and the imaginary parts K1, K2, ..., K7 for each of the seven frequencies (first frequency group) F1, F2, ..., F7. These results are identification data for identifying the deterioration of the sealing material 22.

[0051] Since the complex-transformed identification data of the real part and the imaginary part are identification data on the same complex plane, by using a combination of these identification data, it is possible to specify a combination of identification data elements that can specify the internal condition of the exterior wall with higher accuracy. Note that when a plurality of frequencies F1 to F7 are defined as the first frequency group, if the above-mentioned second frequency group and deterioration detection frequency exist, a similar complex transformation is also performed on the amplitude ratio L and phase difference P of the reflected wave for these frequencies.

[0052] 3-2-2. Identification data allocation unit 42 The identification data allocation unit 42 allocates the following real parts and imaginary parts correlated with the sealing material 22 among the complex-converted real parts and imaginary parts for each divided area A. Next, for each divided area A, as identification data based on the amplitude ratios L1, L2, ..., L7 and phase differences P1, P2, ..., P7 at each frequency F1, F2, ..., F7, for example, real parts and imaginary parts correlated with the sealing material 22 are extracted (selected) from the calculated real parts R1, R2, ..., R7 and imaginary parts K1, K2, ..., K7, and allocates the values ​​of the extracted real parts and imaginary parts for each divided area A. When a plurality of frequencies F1 to F7 are set as a first frequency group, if the above-mentioned second frequency group exists, allocation is performed for these real parts and imaginary parts in the same manner. The extracted real and imaginary parts may be selected in advance by preparing a test specimen having the same structure as the exterior wall 20 and performing a similar cluster analysis to identify the position of the sealant. For example, when classifying clusters using the first frequency group consisting of the five frequencies shown in (1) to (5) above, (1) the imaginary part of 8.4±0.2 GHz, (2) the imaginary part of 9.2±0.2 GHz, (3) the real and imaginary parts of 10.4±0.2 GHz, (4) the real and imaginary parts of 10.8±0.2 GHz, and (5) the imaginary part of 11.2±0.2 GHz are used. Furthermore, when classifying clusters using the second frequency group, in addition to these, the imaginary part of (6) 8.0±0.2 GHz, which is a frequency for detecting deterioration, is used.

[0053] 3-2-3. Cluster Classification Unit 43 Here, the complex-transformed real and imaginary parts are classified into at least three or more clusters using the real and imaginary parts assigned to each divided area. Here, when the divided area A is composed of the siding board 21 and the sealant 22, three types of clusters (three classes) may be set so that the "siding board", "sealant", and "boundary between the siding board and the sealant" can be detected. According to the inventor's knowledge, when four types of clusters (four classes) are set, the position of the sealant 22 can be specified more accurately. According to the inventor's experiment, it was found that the divided area in which the siding board 21 is located can be classified into one of three types of clusters due to various factors such as the boundary of the siding board 21 adjacent to the sealant 22, slight variations in the composition of the siding board 21, and measurement errors. This makes it possible to specify the position of the sealant 22 more accurately. Note that when a plurality of frequencies are set as the first frequency group, if the above-mentioned second frequency group exists, cluster classification using the real and imaginary parts for these may be performed.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 6, each partitioned area A is a rectangular area divided into 12 vertical sections and 10 horizontal sections, with 12 rows and 10 columns. In this example, a siding board 21 of an exterior wall 20 and a sealant 22 formed along the vertical direction are assumed.

[0055] In this case, three types of clusters are set. As a result, the cluster classification results (first classification results) are, for example, the divided area A of the "siding board 21" classified into clusters "1", "2", and "4", and the divided area A of the "sealing material 22" classified into cluster "3". Specifically, when performing cluster analysis, a non-hierarchical cluster analysis may be performed by the k-means method, or the divided area A may be classified into which type of cluster it is set by other cluster analysis such as the EM algorithm. Note that, in the case where the materials of the siding board 21 are different in the multiple divided areas A, further types of clusters may be added according to the number of types. In addition, in the case where the second frequency group exists, the real and imaginary parts are used to classify each divided area A into one of, for example, four types of clusters by cluster analysis, and the second classification result is obtained.

[0056] 3-2-4. Cluster Classification Result Allocation Unit 44 As a result of the cluster analysis (first classification result), as shown in Figure 6, the cluster "3" is assigned to the two horizontally central rows of divided areas A, and the clusters "1," "2," and "4" are assigned to the divided areas A on either side of them. If there is a second classification result, a cluster type is similarly assigned to each divided area A.

[0057] 3-3. Regarding Sealant Specific Part 4C The sealing material identification unit 4C identifies, from the classification result (first classification result in which allocation is performed), whether each divided area A is a divided area corresponding to the sealing material 22. Specifically, when the divided area A is classified into one of the four types of clusters "1" to "4" and a predetermined number or more of divided areas A of the same type of cluster exist consecutively in a row, it determines that these divided areas are divided areas that identify the sealing material 22.

[0058] 6, the divided area A to which the cluster "3" is assigned has a larger number of continuous divided areas in the vertical direction than the divided areas A to which the other clusters "1," "2," and "4" are assigned. Therefore, in this case, the divided area A to which the cluster "3" is assigned is identified as the divided area corresponding to the sealing material 22. Note that, if it is difficult to identify the position of the sealing material 22 in the first classification result, the second classification result used for the assignment may be further used to identify the sealing material 22.

[0059] For example, if multiple rows of partitioned areas A estimated to be sealant 22 are extracted in the first classification result, a predetermined number or more of rows of partitioned areas A that exist consecutively in a row in the vertical direction may also be extracted in the second classification result, and the row of partitioned areas A extracted in common in the first and second classification results may be identified as the row of partitioned areas A where sealant 22 is located. This makes it possible to identify the position of sealant 22 more accurately.

[0060] 3-4. About the sealant deterioration judgment section 4D The sealant deterioration determination unit 4D determines deterioration of the sealant 22 from the components of the deterioration detection reflected wave along the positions (rows of the partitioned regions A) where the sealant 22 is specified. The components of the reflected wave used to determine deterioration of the sealant 22 may be either the amplitude ratio L of the reflected wave C to the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave B at the set frequency, or the phase difference P of the reflected wave C to the electromagnetic wave B at the set frequency. That is, the threshold value of the amplitude ratio or phase difference that is the criterion for the presence or absence of deterioration of the sealant 22 is set together with the deterioration detection frequency of the electromagnetic wave B from the above-mentioned experiment.

[0061] The sealant deterioration determination unit 4D determines the deterioration of the sealant 22 by comparing the magnitude of the calculated amplitude ratio L or phase difference P of the reflected wave C with these thresholds. Note that, from the inventor's experiments, both the calculated amplitude ratio L and phase difference P of the reflected wave C change with the deterioration of the sealant 22 (with the change in hardness of the sealant 22). In this case, by comparing the magnitude of one of the amplitude ratio L and phase difference P of the reflected wave C with the corresponding threshold, the deterioration of the sealant 22 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0062] In addition, the deterioration of the sealing material 22 may be judged based on the amplitude ratio L and phase difference P of the reflected wave C and their corresponding threshold values, and if it is judged that the sealing material 22 has deteriorated based on either one of the judgment results, it may be judged that the sealing material 22 has deteriorated.

[0063] Here, the component of the reflected wave C used to determine the deterioration of the sealing material 22 may be either the real part R or the imaginary part K obtained by complex transforming the amplitude ratio L and the phase difference P. In this case as well, the threshold value of the real part R or the imaginary part K, which is the criterion for determining whether the sealing material 22 has deteriorated, is set together with the deterioration detection frequency of the electromagnetic wave B from the above-mentioned experiment.

[0064] The sealant deterioration determination unit 4D determines the deterioration of the sealant 22 by comparing the magnitude of the calculated complex-converted real part R and imaginary part K with these thresholds. The inventor's experiments have shown that both the complex-converted real part R and imaginary part K change with the deterioration of the sealant 22 (with the change in hardness of the sealant 22). Therefore, by comparing the magnitude of one of the complex-converted real part R and imaginary part K with the corresponding threshold, the deterioration of the sealant 22 can be detected with high accuracy. In this embodiment, the complex-converted real part R and imaginary part K are identification data on the same complex plane, so the deterioration of the sealant 22 can be identified with high accuracy.

[0065] In addition, the deterioration of the sealing material 22 may be judged based on the real part R, the imaginary part K, and their corresponding threshold values, and if it is determined that the sealing material 22 has deteriorated based on either one of the judgment results, it may be determined that the sealing material 22 has deteriorated.

[0066] Here, the irradiation receiving device 3 scans along the position of the sealing material 22, so that while irradiating the electromagnetic wave B along the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 22, it is possible to receive the reflected wave C at a plurality of positions along the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 22. The sealing material deterioration determining unit 4D may determine the deterioration of the sealing material 22 from the components of the plurality of reflected waves C received at the plurality of positions.

[0067] Specifically, the calculation device 4 may calculate an average value of data used to determine deterioration (amplitude ratio L, phase difference P, real part R, or imaginary part K) at multiple positions calculated from the reflected wave C, and determine deterioration by comparing this average value with a threshold value (the threshold value mentioned above) set for these data.

[0068] As a result, the deterioration of the sealing material 22 can be determined from the components of the reflected wave C received at a plurality of positions along the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 22. Therefore, even if there is variation in the components of the reflected wave C due to measurement errors or the like, the variation can be smoothed out. As a result, the deterioration of the sealing material 22 can be determined with high accuracy.

[0069] A method for determining the deterioration of the sealing material 22 will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, in step S11, a control device (not shown) of the irradiation receiving device 3 irradiates electromagnetic waves B to the siding board 21 and the sealing material 22 after passing through the decorative material 30, and sets a plurality of frequencies of the electromagnetic waves B at which the reflected waves reflected by the siding board 21 and the sealing material 22 can be detected. Here, a first frequency group and a second frequency group of electromagnetic waves are set. These frequency groups can be obtained experimentally as described above.

[0070] Furthermore, the electromagnetic wave B is irradiated to the sealing material 22, and a deterioration detection frequency of the electromagnetic wave B is set at which a component of the reflected wave C that changes in accordance with the change in hardness of the sealing material 22 is obtained from the component of the reflected wave reflected by the sealing material 22. Specifically, a sample of the sealing material 22 whose hardness has changed due to deterioration is prepared, and the frequency of such electromagnetic wave B is experimentally obtained.

[0071] In this case, the electromagnetic waves of the first frequency group may be combined with the electromagnetic waves of the second frequency group, which include the electromagnetic waves B having the deterioration detection frequency. The electromagnetic waves of the deterioration detection frequency are electromagnetic waves having a frequency for identifying the deterioration of the sealant 22, and therefore are electromagnetic waves having a frequency for distinguishing between the siding board 21 and the sealant 22. As a result, the position of the sealant 22 can be identified by the electromagnetic waves of the second frequency group by adding the electromagnetic waves B having the deterioration detection frequency. In this way, the position of the sealant 22 can be identified more accurately, and the deterioration of the sealant 22 can be determined at the same time.

[0072] Next, in step S12, an irradiation and reception process is performed. Specifically, electromagnetic waves B are irradiated to the exterior wall 20 and reflected waves C are received. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, electromagnetic waves B having a certain amplitude and a certain frequency for each of a plurality of frequencies (frequencies of the first frequency group) are irradiated from the decorative material 30 of the exterior wall 20 toward the inside of the exterior wall 20, and while the frequency of the electromagnetic waves B is changed stepwise, reflected waves C reflected by the exterior wall 20 are received at each frequency (for example, for each of seven different frequencies). This operation is performed for each partitioned area A of the exterior wall 20. Note that, when the electromagnetic waves B of the second frequency group and the deterioration detection frequency are set, the same operation is performed for the electromagnetic waves B of the first frequency group, the electromagnetic waves of the second frequency group, and the deterioration detection electromagnetic waves of the deterioration detection frequency.

[0073] The irradiation of the electromagnetic waves B and the reception of the reflected waves C for each divided area A are performed by holding the handle 17 of the irradiation receiving device 3 shown in FIG. 1, pressing the wheels 13 of the irradiation receiving device 3 against the outer wall surface 21a, and moving (scanning) the irradiation receiving device 3 in the vertical direction (or horizontal direction) while rotating the wheels 13 on the outer wall surface 21a. This allows the irradiation receiving device 3 to irradiate the electromagnetic waves B with a stepwise change in frequency for each divided area A and receive the reflected waves C for each frequency. Furthermore, the same operation is repeated by shifting in the horizontal direction (or vertical direction). The frequency of the electromagnetic waves B is, for example, the seven different frequencies described above, and the set frequency of this first frequency group is changed stepwise for each divided area A. If the second frequency group and the deterioration detection frequency are set, these frequencies are also taken into account.

[0074] In step S13, an amplitude ratio phase difference calculation step is performed. In this step, the amplitude ratio phase difference calculation unit 4A of the arithmetic device 4 calculates the amplitude ratio L of the reflected wave C at each frequency and the phase difference P of the reflected wave C relative to the electromagnetic wave B at each frequency, which are received for each divided area A. As a result, the amplitude ratios L1, L2, ..., L7 and phase differences P1, P2, ..., P7 are calculated for, for example, seven frequencies F1, F2, ..., F7 in the first frequency group. When the second frequency group and the deterioration detection frequency are set, the amplitude ratio phase difference calculation unit 4A calculates the amplitude ratios and phase differences for these frequencies in the same manner.

[0075] Next, in steps S14 to S17, a cluster analysis process is performed. First, in step S14, the complex conversion unit 41 of the cluster analysis unit 4B performs complex conversion on the amplitude ratios L1 to L7 and the phase differences P1 to P7 at the frequencies F1 to F7 for each divided area A. As a result, real parts R1 to R7 and imaginary parts K1 to K7 can be obtained. Of these, real parts and imaginary parts common to each divided area A that can identify the sealing material 22 are extracted. As such real parts and imaginary parts, for example, identification data such as real parts R1, R3, R4, and R6 and imaginary parts K2, K3, K5, and K7 are extracted for each divided area A. This extracted data is the component of the reflected wave that changes according to the change in hardness of the sealing material 22 when the frequency of the electromagnetic wave B is set in the above-mentioned step S11. When the second frequency group and the deterioration detection frequency are set, the complex conversion unit 41 calculates the real parts and imaginary parts for these frequencies as well as necessary.

[0076] Next, the process proceeds to step S15, where the identification data allocation unit 42 of the cluster analysis unit 4B allocates the extracted identification data to each partitioned area A. Next, the process proceeds to step S16, where the cluster classification unit 43 of the cluster analysis unit 4B sets four types of clusters "1" to "4" (four classes), and classifies the multiple partitioned areas A into one of the set clusters "1" to "4" using the extracted identification data of the real and imaginary parts. If a second frequency group is set, the same process is also performed on it.

[0077] Next, in step S18, it is determined from the classification result whether each divided area A is a divided area A corresponding to the sealant 22. Specifically, as described above, in this step, if the sealing material identification unit 4C determines from the classification result (first classification result) that a plurality of divided areas A located in the sealant 22 are classified into one of four types of clusters and a predetermined number or more of divided areas A of the same type of cluster are consecutively present in the vertical or horizontal direction, the corresponding divided area A is determined to be a divided area in which the sealant 22 is located. Note that, when the second frequency group is set, the position of the sealant 22 may be determined by further using the second classification result obtained from the second frequency group as described above.

[0078] Next, in step S19, deterioration of the sealing material 22 is judged from the components of the reflected wave C for deterioration detection along the identified positions of the sealing material 22. Specifically, the sealing material deterioration judgment unit 4D judges deterioration of the sealing material 22 from a plurality of components of the reflected wave C for deterioration detection received at a plurality of positions of the sealing material 22. Finally, a series of results are output to the display device 5.

[0079] According to this embodiment, when the electromagnetic wave B of the set frequency is irradiated from the surface of the decorative material 30 to the sealant 22, the electromagnetic wave B passes through the decorative material 30 and is reflected by the sealant 22. The electromagnetic wave reflected by the sealant 22 (reflected wave C) contains a waveform of the set frequency, and therefore passes through the decorative material 30 and can be received. The reflected wave C received in this manner contains a component corresponding to the hardness of the sealant 22, and therefore deterioration of the sealant 22 can be determined based on the component of the reflected wave C. As a result, even if the decorative material 30 in which a plurality of tiles are arranged is provided on the surface of the exterior wall base material 20A, deterioration of the sealant 22 arranged inside the exterior wall 20 can be accurately detected regardless of the surface shape, material, etc. of the decorative material 30.

[0080] The inventors prepared a test specimen of an exterior wall 20 on which a sealant 22 with only the upper half degraded was placed. The test specimens of Examples 1 to 3 differ in that a metal plate 29A, a resin plate (polystyrene plate) 29B, or a plywood 29C was placed on the back surface of a pair of siding boards 21, 21 and the sealant 22, as shown in FIG.

[0081] The test specimens of Examples 1 to 3 were irradiated with electromagnetic waves of five different frequencies F1 to F5 as electromagnetic waves of the first frequency group for each divided area A. Specifically, the frequencies F1 to F5 are (1) 8.4 GHz, (2) 9.2 GHz, (3) 10.4 GHz, (4) 10.8 GHz, and (5) 11.2 GHz, respectively. These are the frequencies of the first frequency group that can detect the sealant 22, and were obtained in advance through experiments, etc. However, the frequencies are not limited to these frequencies, and it has been found that even if two or more of these five frequencies are selected, the tendency of the arrangement state of the sealant 22 can be specified to some extent, and the number of these frequencies is not limited. For example, in the case of Examples 1 to 3 as an example, it has been found from the experience of the inventors that almost the same results can be obtained even if these frequencies are in the range of ±0.2 GHz. Amplitude ratios L1 to L5 and phase differences P1 to P5 were measured from the received reflected waves, and these were then complex transformed to calculate real parts R1 to R5 and imaginary parts K1 to K5 according to frequencies F1 to F5.

[0082] Using the real parts R3 and R4 and the imaginary parts K1 to K5, four types of clusters (four classes) were set for multiple partitioned regions A (specifically, 23 rows x 6 columns), and cluster analysis was performed using the k-means method. The results for the test specimens of Examples 1 to 3 are shown in Figures 9(a) to 11(a).

[0083] Similarly, in the irradiation and reception step, 8.0 GHz was irradiated as the deterioration detection frequency, and the deterioration detection reflected wave C was received. The amplitude ratio and phase difference of the reflected wave of the deterioration detection frequency were calculated in the same manner as above to form a second frequency group combining the frequencies shown in (1) to (5) and the deterioration detection frequency, and the real part R6 and the imaginary part K6 were calculated by complex transformation. Using the real parts R3 and R4 and the imaginary parts K1 to K6, four types of clusters (four classes) were set for the multiple partitioned regions A, and cluster analysis was performed by the k-means method. The results for the test specimens of Examples 1 to 3 are shown in Figures 9(b) to 11(b).

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the cluster "1" is assigned to the divided area A in the third column from the right, and the cluster "4" is assigned to all the divided areas A in the second column from the right, so that both columns can be said to be candidates for identifying the position of the sealing material 22. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the cluster "3" is assigned to the divided area A in the third column from the right, and the cluster "2" is assigned to all the divided areas A in the fourth column from the right, so that both columns can be said to be candidates for identifying the position of the sealing material 22. Therefore, from the first classification result shown in FIG. 9(a) and the second classification result shown in FIG. 9(b), the common candidate for identifying the position of the sealing material 22 is the divided area A in the third column from the right, so that the sealing material identification unit 4C can identify this column of divided areas A as the sealing material 22.

[0085] 10(a) and (b) and 11(a) and (b), the same type of cluster is assigned to all of the divided regions A in the third row from the right, and therefore it was identified that the sealant 22 is located in the divided region A in the third row from the right. In this way, it was found that the position of the sealant 22 can be identified regardless of the material placed behind the sealant.

[0086] Furthermore, for the test specimens of Examples 1 to 3, deterioration of the sealing material 22 was judged for the partitioned area A where the sealing material 22 was specified to be located. In the above-mentioned cluster analysis, data of 23 rows x 6 columns was used, but data obtained by further irradiating electromagnetic waves of a frequency for detecting deterioration from above and below was also added to judge deterioration of the sealing material 22.

[0087] In Figures 12(a) and (b), positions 1 to 13 indicated on the horizontal axis are positions where deteriorated hard sealing material 22 is present, and positions 14 to 27 are positions where undeteriorated soft sealing material 22 is present.

[0088] 12(a), for each of the specimens in Examples 1 to 3, the phase difference values ​​at positions 1 to 13 tend to be lower than the phase difference values ​​at positions 14 to 27. Therefore, in order to detect deterioration of the sealing material 22, the threshold value for deterioration determination is set to 0.9 rad, and if the phase difference is smaller than this, it can be determined that the sealing material 22 has deteriorated.

[0089] However, even in such a case, since the phase difference at position 8 in Example 3 is about 1.0 rad due to a measurement error caused by a disturbance, etc., it may be determined that the sealing material 22 is not deteriorated. Similarly, since the phase difference at position 23 in Example 3 is slightly smaller than 0.9 rad due to a measurement error caused by a disturbance, etc., it may be determined that the sealing material 22 is deteriorated. Even in such a case, since the phase difference is measured at successive positions along the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 22, other phase differences can be confirmed and erroneous detection of the sealing material due to a measurement error, etc. can be avoided.

[0090] Similarly, as is clear from the results of FIG. 12(b), for each of the specimens in Examples 1 to 3, the values ​​of the imaginary part data at positions 1 to 13 tend to be lower than the values ​​of the imaginary part data at positions 14 to 27. In particular, in the case of Example 1, it is considered that the resolution for detecting deterioration of the sealant is improved by using the imaginary part data. However, in the case of Example 2, since there is variation in the data due to the influence of measurement errors, for example, in the case of Example 2, when detecting whether the sealant is generally deteriorated or not, if the average value of the imaginary part data at multiple positions is 3000 or less, it may be determined that the sealant is deteriorated, and if the average value exceeds 3000, it may be determined that the sealant is not deteriorated. Although not illustrated, it was recognized that there was a difference between a deteriorated sealant and a non-deteriorated sealant even when the amplitude ratio and real part data were used, although the difference was not as clear as when the phase difference and imaginary part data were used.

[0091] As described above, according to this embodiment, the use of electromagnetic waves in the microwave region provides high safety. Furthermore, since the deterioration (degree of deterioration) of the sealant can be detected, maintenance can be performed at an appropriate time. Furthermore, if the device is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone, deterioration of the sealant at high places can be detected safely and quickly.

[0092] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 3: irradiation receiving device, 4: calculation device, 4A: amplitude ratio phase difference calculation unit, 4B: cluster analysis unit, 4C: sealant identification unit, 4D: sealant deterioration determination unit, 10: position detection system, 20: exterior wall, 21: siding board, 22: sealant, 30: decorative material, 31: tile, B: electromagnetic wave, C: reflected wave, F: frequency, L: amplitude ratio, P: phase difference, R: real part, K: imaginary part

Claims

1. A position detection method for detecting a position of a sealant in an exterior wall having an exterior wall base material in which a sealant is disposed between siding boards constituting the exterior wall of a building, and a decorative material in which a plurality of tiles are arranged on the exterior wall base material, comprising: a frequency setting step of setting a plurality of frequencies of the electromagnetic waves that transmit through the decorative material, irradiate the siding board and the sealant, and allow detection of the reflected waves from the siding board and the sealant; an irradiation and reception process for irradiating the electromagnetic waves for each of the plurality of frequencies from the surface of the decorative material toward the inside of the exterior wall and receiving the reflected waves reflected inside the exterior wall for each of the divided regions of the surface of the decorative material; an amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation step of calculating an amplitude ratio of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave at each of the frequencies received for each of the partitioned regions, and a phase difference of the reflected wave to the electromagnetic wave at each of the frequencies; a cluster analysis step of setting at least three or more types of clusters for each of the divided regions using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference at each of the frequencies, and performing a cluster analysis to classify the divided regions into any of the set clusters; and a sealant identifying step of identifying whether each of the divided regions corresponds to a sealant based on the classification result. A method for detecting the position of a sealing material.

2. 2. The method for detecting a position of a sealant according to claim 1, wherein in said cluster analysis step, four types of clusters are set.

3. In the frequency setting step, when the plurality of frequencies are defined as a first frequency group, a second frequency group is set, the second frequency group being composed of a plurality of frequencies different from the first frequency group; In the irradiation and reception step, electromagnetic waves of the second frequency group are irradiated to each of the partitioned regions, and the reflected waves reflected inside the outer wall are received. In the amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation step, an amplitude ratio of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave in the second frequency group and a phase difference of the reflected wave to the electromagnetic wave in the second frequency group are calculated, In the cluster analysis step, a first classification result is obtained by performing a cluster analysis using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference in the first frequency group, and a second classification result is obtained by performing a cluster analysis using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference in the second frequency group, The method for detecting the position of a sealing material according to claim 1, characterized in that in the sealing material identification process, it is identified whether each of the divided areas is a divided area corresponding to a sealing material based on the first classification result and the second classification result.

4. 2. The method for detecting the position of a sealing material according to claim 1, wherein in the cluster analysis process, the amplitude ratio and the phase difference are complex transformed into a real part and an imaginary part, and the cluster analysis is performed using at least one of the real part and the imaginary part.

5. In the frequency setting step, an electromagnetic wave is irradiated onto the sealing material, and a deterioration detection frequency of the electromagnetic wave is set at which a component of the reflected wave that changes in accordance with a change in hardness of the sealing material can be detected from the reflected wave reflected by the sealing material; In the irradiation and reception step, an electromagnetic wave having the deterioration detection frequency is further irradiated, and a reflected wave for deterioration detection is further received, The position detection method includes: The method for detecting the position of a sealing material as described in claim 1, further comprising, after the sealing material identification process, a deterioration determination process for determining deterioration of the sealing material from the components of the deterioration detection reflected wave received along the position where the sealing material is identified.

6. A position detection system for detecting a position of a sealant in an exterior wall having an exterior wall base material in which a sealant is disposed between siding boards constituting the exterior wall of a building, and a decorative material in which a plurality of tiles are arranged on the exterior wall base material, comprising: The position detection system includes: an irradiation and receiving device that transmits electromagnetic waves through the decorative material, irradiates the siding board and the sealant with electromagnetic waves, sets a plurality of frequencies of the electromagnetic waves at which reflected waves reflected by the siding board and the sealant can be detected, irradiates the electromagnetic waves for each of the plurality of frequencies from the surface of the decorative material toward the inside of the exterior wall, and receives the reflected waves reflected inside the exterior wall, for each of the divided regions on the surface of the decorative material; A calculation device that performs a calculation to detect the position of the sealing material, The computing device includes: an amplitude ratio and phase difference calculation unit that calculates an amplitude ratio of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the electromagnetic wave at each of the frequencies received for each of the partitioned regions and a phase difference of the reflected wave to the electromagnetic wave at each of the frequencies; a cluster analysis unit that performs a cluster analysis for each of the divided regions by setting at least three or more types of clusters for each of the divided regions using at least one of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference at each of the frequencies and classifying the divided regions into one of the set clusters; and a sealant identification unit that identifies whether each of the divided regions is a divided region corresponding to a sealant based on the classification result. A sealing material position detection system comprising:

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