Radar device

Abstract

To provide a radar device that can detect a survivor and contribute to improvement in the diffusion rate of the device.SOLUTION: A radar device comprises: a plurality of sensor modules 211 to 21n which radiate radio waves from antennas 221 to 22n, receive reflected waves from a living body 4, and can detect phases of signals obtained from the reflected signals to detect biological information on the living body 4; connection means 6, 7 which connect the plurality of sensor modules 211 to 21n in a plane; and a detection part 3 which detects the position of the living body 4 based upon the signals obtained from the reflected waves that the plurality of sensor modules 211 to 21n receive. The sensor modules 211 to 21n can be each used alone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radar device capable of detecting survivors.

Background Art

[0002] When a disaster such as a major earthquake occurs, it is important to quickly discover and rescue the victims. In particular, in a situation where a victim is buried under rubble due to a collapsed house or the like, it is necessary to rescue the victim as soon as possible.

[0003] Conventionally, a radar device for detecting survivors buried under rubble has been known (Patent Document 1). This device emits radio waves toward a detection area where a person may be buried under rubble, detects minute displacements of the body of a survivor from the reflected waves, and detects the position of the survivor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, since the device described in Patent Document 1 is a dedicated device that is used only during a disaster to detect survivors buried under rubble, the production cost is high and mass production is not possible. Therefore, such a device has a problem of low penetration rate.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a radar device capable of detecting survivors and contributing to an improvement in the penetration rate of the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 radiates radio waves from an antenna, receives reflected waves in a living body, performs phase detection on a signal obtained from the reflected waves, and has a plurality of sensor modules capable of detecting biological information of the living body, connecting means for connecting the plurality of sensor modules in a planar shape, and a detection unit for detecting the position of the living body based on the signal obtained from the reflected waves received by the plurality of sensor modules. A radar device characterized by comprising:

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the radar device according to claim 1, the connecting means is constituted by a frame, and the plurality of sensor modules are connected by being accommodated in the frame.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the radar device according to claim 1, the connecting means is constituted by convex portions and concave portions provided on the sensor modules, and the convex portions and the concave portions of adjacent sensor modules are connected by fitting together.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the invention described in claim 1, since it has a configuration in which a plurality of sensor modules that can be used individually are connected to assemble a radar device, for example, in the event of a disaster, it can be used as a radar device for detecting survivors in a state where a plurality of sensor modules are connected. In normal times, it can be used as a vital sensing radar device that detects the biological information of a living body with a single sensor module, enabling reduction of production costs and mass production. As a result, it is possible to improve the penetration rate of radar devices for detecting survivors. Also, since a plurality of sensor modules are connected, the transmission power increases, making it possible to detect the biological information of survivors trapped under rubble or inside a building (inside a wall) during a disaster. In addition, since a plurality of sensor modules are connected and arranged in a planar shape, the detection range and detection performance are improved by expanding the aperture area of the antenna, and it becomes possible to obtain the position information of survivors by adjusting the directivity of the antenna.

[0011] ​ Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, since the connecting means is constituted by a frame and the plurality of sensor modules are connected by accommodating them in the frame, it becomes easy to arrange the plurality of sensor modules in a planar manner, and it also becomes easy to separate the connected sensor modules, improving workability.

[0012] Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, since the connecting means is constituted by the convex portions and concave portions provided on the sensor modules and the convex portions and concave portions of adjacent sensor modules are fitted to connect them, the connecting operation is simple, it becomes easy to increase or decrease the number of sensor modules according to the situation, and it also becomes easy to separate the connected sensor modules, improving workability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, this invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) Figs. 1, 2, 3(a) and 3(c) show Embodiment 1 of this invention. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the radar device 1 according to this embodiment. This radar device 1 is a device that detects the position of the living body 4 by detecting the biological information of the living body 4. In this embodiment, the case where this radar device 1 is used for the purpose of detecting survivors in the event of a disaster will be described as an example. This radar device 1 mainly includes a sensor module group 2 and a detection unit 3.

[0016] The sensor module group 2 includes a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n and a plurality of antennas 22 1 ~22 n and a connecting means.

[0017] Each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n is a unit that combines the components used to detect the biological information of the living body 4 in one housing. Specifically, it includes a single antenna 22 1 ~22 n , a sensor (not shown) for detecting the living body 4, and a housing (not shown) for housing the antenna 22 1 ~22 n and the sensor. The configurations and functions of each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n are basically the same.

[0018] Each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n can be used as a non-contact vital sensing radar device alone and has the same configuration and function as a general non-contact vital sensing radar device. In this embodiment, the sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n include antennas 22 1 ~22 nIt emits radio waves, receives the reflected waves at the survivor (living body) 4, phase-detects the signals obtained from the reflected waves, and detects biological information such as the respiration rate and heart rate of the survivor 4. More specifically, the minute fluctuations of the survivor 4 derived from respiration and heartbeat are captured as phase fluctuations, and the biological information such as the respiration rate and heart rate is detected by extracting the time (period) of the phase fluctuations.

[0019] Each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n is connected in a planar manner by connecting means to form the sensor module group 2. Here, "planar" means that each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n is connected such that each antenna 22 1 ~22 n can radiate radio waves in substantially the same direction, and each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n is connected in a planar manner facing the same direction.

[0020] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the connecting means is constituted by the frame 6, and a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n are connected by being accommodated in the frame 6.

[0021] The frame 6 is formed by a square top plate, bottom plate, two side walls (left side wall, right side wall), and a back plate, and is a box-shaped frame with an open front. The accommodation space inside the frame 6 is divided into a plurality of compartments by, for example, a partition plate (not shown), and is formed to accommodate one sensor module 21 in one compartment. Each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n is accommodated in each compartment inside the frame 6 such that the surface for radiating radio waves faces the front. Each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n may be fastened to each compartment by, for example, screws, or may be fastened by inserting into each compartment.

[0022] Figs. 3(a) and (c) show an example of the frame 6 used in this embodiment. The frame 6 in this example is substantially square and partitioned into 16 sections arranged in 4 columns vertically and 4 columns horizontally, and can accommodate up to 16 sensor modules 21 1 ~21 16 . Note that the shape of the frame 6 may be appropriately changed according to the shape of the sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n , and the number of sections of the frame 6 may be appropriately changed according to the number of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n to be accommodated.

[0023] When a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n are connected, the transmission power of the radar device 1 can be increased in proportion to the number of connected units. As a result, radio waves radiated from the antennas 22 1 ~21 n of the plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~22 n can penetrate obstacles such as the wall 5A and rubble 5B, and it becomes possible to detect biometric information such as the respiration rate and heart rate of the survivor 4 trapped inside the building (inside the wall 5A) or under the rubble 5B due to the collapse of the house during a disaster.

[0024] Further, when a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n are connected in a planar manner, a phased array antenna is substantially configured by the arranged antennas 22 1 ~22 n , so that beamforming can be performed by controlling their phases and amplitudes. As a result, it becomes possible to detect the position information of the survivor 4 trapped inside the building (inside the wall 5A) or under the rubble 5B due to the collapse of the house during a disaster. Note that the control of the phase and amplitude is performed by the detection unit 3 described later.

[0025] The detection unit 3 is a mechanism for controlling the movement of the sensor module group 2 and detecting the position information of the survivor 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the detection unit 3 is provided outside the sensor module group 2. As shown in FIG. 3(c), each sensor module 21 of the sensor module group 2 1 ~21 n is connected by a wire (cable) to transmit and receive data. The detection unit 3 may be a dedicated device or may be realized by installing dedicated software on a personal computer. Note that the data transmission and reception between the sensor module 21 1 ~21 n may be performed wirelessly. The detection unit 3 includes a control unit 31, an operation unit 32, and a processing unit 33.

[0026] The control unit 31 controls the movement of the entire sensor module group 2. Specifically, it performs synchronization, calibration, beamforming, etc. Since synchronization can be performed in the same manner as in the prior art, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0027] Calibration is required by moving and connecting in a planar manner a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n Specifically, phase and amplitude corrections are performed to match different phases and amplitudes for each antenna 22 1 ~22 n The timing for performing calibration is preferably after the array formation of the antennas 22 1 ~21 n is completed and the cable connection between each sensor module 21 1 ~22 n and the detection unit 3 is completed. Calibration itself can be performed in the same manner as in the prior art. For example, a specified radio wave is output from the antenna 22 1 ~21 n of the sensor module 21, and the antenna 22 1 of the sensor module 21 1 outputs a specified radio wave, and the antenna 22 2 of the sensor module 21 2It may be performed by a method of checking whether the specified output is obtained or by a method as described in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-64665 filed by the applicant. By calibration, the phases and amplitudes of the transmission signals of the respective antennas 22 1 ~22 n are made uniform, and the accuracy of beamforming is also improved.

[0028] Beamforming is made possible by moving a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n and connecting them in a planar manner to substantially form a phased array antenna. Specifically, the phases and amplitudes of the transmission signals input to the respective antennas 22 1 ~22 n are controlled to adjust the radio waves to be radiated in a specific direction. Since beamforming itself can be performed by a method equivalent to the conventional method, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0029] The operation unit 32 is operated manually, and for example, an instruction such as survivor detection is input. The processing unit 33 follows the instruction from the operation unit 32, gives an operation instruction to each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n and processes the signals obtained by each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n to detect the position of the survivor 4. Specifically, the following procedure is followed. When the processing unit 33 issues a transmission instruction to each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n , each antenna 22 1 ~22 n radiates radio waves in a specific direction adjusted by the control unit 31, receives the reflected waves at the survivor 4, and sends the signal generated based on the reflected waves to the processing unit 33. The processing unit 33 calculates the distance, direction, etc. to the survivor 4 based on the signal obtained from the reflected waves, and detects the position of the survivor 4. Note that the detected biological information and position information of the survivor 4 may be displayed on a display screen or the like.

[0030] The radar device 1 of this embodiment is used as a radar device for detecting survivors in a disaster. Fig. 2 shows a usage mode of the radar device 1 when used for detecting survivors in a disaster. For example, when detecting survivors 4 trapped inside a building (inside a wall 5A), the radar device 1 is placed outside the wall 5A so as to be in contact with the wall 5A and radiates radio waves toward the inside of the building (inside the wall 5A) (Fig. 2(a)), and when detecting survivors 4 trapped under rubble 5B, the radar device 1 is placed above the rubble 5B so as to be in contact with the rubble 5B and radiates radio waves toward the bottom of the rubble 5B (Fig. 2(b)).

[0031] On the other hand, in the radar device 1 of the present embodiment, in normal times, the multiple connected sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n and each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n It can be used alone as a vital sensing radar device in hospitals, etc. In other words, the radar device 1 can be used in both normal times and disasters by changing the manner of use. Moreover, since vital sensing radar devices are often used in hospitals, etc. that serve as bases for rescue activities in disasters, it is easy to gather multiple devices and assemble them into a radar device for detecting survivors in the event of a disaster.

[0032] As described above, the radar device 1 according to the present embodiment is a sensor that can be used alone. Since the radar device 1 is constructed by connecting a plurality of sensor modules 21, in the event of a disaster, the sensor modules 21 connected together can be used as a radar device for detecting survivors, and in normal times, the sensor module 21 alone can be used as a vital sensing radar device for detecting the biological information of a living body 4, which allows for reduction in production costs and mass production, and ultimately allows for an increase in the penetration rate of radar devices for detecting survivors. 1 ~21 nSince they are connected, the transmission power increases, making it possible to detect the biological information of the survivors 4 trapped inside the building (inside the wall 5A) or under the rubble 5B during a disaster. Also, since a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n are connected and arranged in a planar manner, the detection range and detection performance are improved by expanding the aperture area of the antenna, and the position information of the survivors 4 can be obtained by adjusting the directivity of the antennas 22 1 ~22 n .

[0033] Also, according to the radar device 1 according to the present embodiment, the connecting means is constituted by the frame 6, and a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n are connected by being housed in the frame 6. Thus, it becomes easy to arrange the plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n in a planar manner, and it also becomes easy to separate the connected sensor modules, improving workability.

[0034] (Embodiment 2) Next, the radar device 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0035] FIGS. 3(b) and (c) are diagrams for explaining the connection method of a plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n in the radar device 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the radar device 1 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the connecting means is constituted by the convex portions 7 and the concave portions 8 provided on the sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n .

[0036] The convex portion 7 is a prismatic protrusion, and is provided at two locations on the upper surface and one side surface of each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n . Also, the concave portion 8 is a prismatic hole having substantially the same dimensions as the convex portion 7, and each sensor module 211 ~21 n are provided at two locations: the bottom surface of n and the side surface facing the side surface provided with the convex portion 7. And for adjacent sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n by fitting the convex portion 7 and the concave portion 8 of n , each sensor module 21 1 ~21 n can be connected in the horizontal and vertical directions. When the sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n are fitted together, in order to prevent displacement and rotation, in this embodiment, the shapes of the convex portion 7 and the concave portion 8 are prismatic with a square cross-section, but the shapes of the convex portion 7 and the concave portion 8 are not limited to this.

[0037] As described above, according to the radar device 1 according to this embodiment, the connecting means is composed of the convex portion 7 and the concave portion 8 provided on the plurality of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n and is connected by fitting the convex portion 7 and the concave portion 8 of adjacent sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n so that the connection work is simple, it is easy to increase or decrease the number of sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n according to the situation, and it is also easy to separate the connected sensor modules 21 1 ~21 n and the workability is improved.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiments, and even if there are design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, they are included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0039] 1 Radar device 2 Sensor module group 21 21 1 21 2 ···21 n Sensor module 22 22 122 2 ···22 n Antenna 3 Detection unit 31 Control unit 32 Operation unit 33 Processing unit 4 Survivor (living body) 5A Wall 5B Rubble 6 Frame (connecting means) 7 Protrusion (connecting means) 8 Recess (connecting means)

Claims

1. A plurality of sensor modules that radiate radio waves from an antenna, receive reflected waves in a living body, perform phase detection on a signal obtained from the reflected waves, and can detect biological information of the living body; Connecting means for connecting the plurality of sensor modules in a planar shape; A detection unit that detects the position of the living body based on the signal obtained from the reflected waves received by the plurality of sensor modules. A radar device comprising: characterized by the above.

2. The connecting means is constituted by a frame, and the plurality of sensor modules are connected by being housed in the frame. The radar device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The connecting means is constituted by convex portions and concave portions provided on the sensor modules, and the convex portions and the concave portions of adjacent sensor modules are connected by fitting together. The radar device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

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