Method for determining maintenance plan of flying body

Abstract

To improve a technique to determine a maintenance plan of a flying body driven by a battery.SOLUTION: A method executed by a maintenance system for a flying body driven by a battery, includes: managing a schedule or an achievement relating to at least one of production of flying body components, conveyance of the components, final assembly of an airframe, and operation and maintenance for the flying body; and determining a maintenance plan of the plurality of components constituting the flying body on the basis of operation result information for the flying body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a maintenance plan for a battery-powered air vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an operation support system has been disclosed that identifies the timing of replacing aircraft parts based on the cumulative flight time of the aircraft and the cumulative operating time of the engines, and determines the timing of ordering the parts (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-066358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 does not consider adjusting the replacement timing of parts identified based on the cumulative flight time of the aircraft and the cumulative operating time of the engine. In other words, there is room for improvement in the technology for determining a maintenance plan for a battery-powered flying object.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for determining maintenance plans for battery-powered aircraft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An inspection method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: 1. A method performed by a management system for a battery-powered air vehicle, comprising: Managing schedules or results regarding at least one of the production of parts related to the aircraft, transportation of parts, final assembly of the aircraft, operation, and maintenance; determining a maintenance plan for a plurality of components constituting the aircraft based on operational performance information of the aircraft; Includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for determining a maintenance plan for a battery-powered air vehicle is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the flying object. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described. The method according to this embodiment manages schedules or performance data relating to at least one of the production of parts related to the aircraft 20, transportation of parts, final assembly of the aircraft, operation, and maintenance. The method is characterized by determining a maintenance plan for multiple parts constituting the aircraft 20 based on operational performance information of the aircraft 20.

[0012] Here, the air vehicle 20 has electric rotors and flies on battery power. For example, the air vehicle 20 is an eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off and Landing). The eVTOL has a cabin that is approximately the same size as a passenger car and can accommodate one or more occupants, and a mechanism that includes one or more electric rotors for generating lift and thrust. The eVTOL is operated at least in part under visual flight rules (VFR). Note that the air vehicle 20 is not limited to eVTOLs and includes helicopters, drones, etc. The air vehicle 20 has a drive mechanism including a motor for driving the electric rotors, a control unit for the drive mechanism, and a battery that supplies power to the drive mechanism. The battery is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The air vehicle 20 may also be operated under instrument flight rules (IFR), for example.

[0013] Thus, according to this embodiment, by determining a maintenance plan for multiple components that make up the aircraft 20, the period during which the aircraft 20 is unable to operate due to maintenance can be reduced. Therefore, the technology for determining a maintenance plan for a battery-powered aircraft is improved in that the availability rate of the aircraft 20 is improved.

[0014] A configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0015] (Server device configuration)

[0016] First, each component of the server device 10 will be described in detail.

[0017] 1, server device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a control unit 13, an input unit 14, and an output unit 15. Server device 10 is, for example, at least one computer. Alternatively, server device 10 may be configured with two or more computers that are communicatively connected and operate in cooperation with each other. In this case, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is appropriately arranged in two or more computers.

[0018] The communication unit 11 includes at least one external communication interface. The communication interface may be either a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 11 receives data used in the operation of the server device 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0019] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used in the operation of the server device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0020] The control unit 13 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 13 controls each unit of the server device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the server device 10.

[0021] The input unit 14 includes at least one input interface. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, or a touch screen integrated with a display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that accepts voice input, or a camera that accepts gesture input. The input unit 14 accepts an operation to input data used in the operation of the server device 10. The input unit 14 may be connected to the server device 10 as an external input device instead of being provided in the server device 10. Any connection method may be used, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0022] The output unit 15 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as a video, or a speaker that outputs information as an audio. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The output unit 15 outputs data obtained by the operation of the server device 10. The output unit 15 may be connected to the aircraft 20 as an external output device instead of being provided in the server device 10. Any connection method can be used, for example, USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0023] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by a processor included in the control unit 13 executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing a computer to function as the server device 10. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 13. Alternatively, the control program may be stored in a non-transitory recording / storage medium readable by the server device 10, and read by the server device 10 from the medium.

[0024] (Aircraft configuration)

[0025] Next, each component of the flying vehicle 20 will be described in detail.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the aircraft 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, a communication unit 25, a positioning unit 26, a detection unit 27, and a battery 28.

[0027] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 21 executes processes related to the operation of the aircraft 20 while controlling each part of the aircraft 20. For example, the control unit 21 controls a drive mechanism including a motor for driving the electric rotor blades.

[0028] The memory unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The memory unit 12 functions, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 22 stores data used in the operation of the aircraft 20 and data obtained by the operation of the aircraft 20.

[0029] The input unit 23 includes at least one input interface. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen integrated with a display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that accepts voice input, or a camera that accepts gesture input. The input unit 23 accepts operations to input data used in the operation of the aircraft 20. The input unit 23 may be connected to the aircraft 20 as an external input device instead of being provided in the aircraft 20. Any connection method may be used, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0030] The output unit 24 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as a video, or a speaker that outputs information as an audio. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The output unit 24 displays and outputs data obtained by the operation of the aircraft 20. The output unit 24 may be connected to the aircraft 20 as an external output device instead of being provided in the aircraft 20. Any connection method can be used, for example, USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0031] The communication unit 25 includes at least one external communication interface. The communication interface may be either a wired or wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 25 receives data used in the operation of the aircraft 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the aircraft 20.

[0032] The positioning unit 26 includes sensors or receivers for acquiring the position of the aircraft 20 using autonomous navigation, electronic navigation, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), or the like. Sensors for autonomous navigation include, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a compass, and an altimeter. The receiver for electronic navigation includes, for example, a receiver for receiving radio waves from terrestrial radio facilities such as a VHF omnidirectional radio range (VOR) and an Instrument Landing System (ILS). Furthermore, the GNSS receiver includes, for example, at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS), a Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), BeiDou, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and Galileo. The positioning unit 26 acquires position information of the aircraft 20 and sends the position information to the control unit 21. Here, the position information includes altitude information of the aircraft 20.

[0033] The detection unit 27 has one or more sensors or an interface with the sensors that detect the state or operation of each part of the flying object 20, and sends information indicating the detection results of the sensors to the control unit 21. The sensors include sensors that detect the state or operation of the drive mechanism including the motor, the rotation speed of the propeller, the remaining charge of the battery 28, the temperature, the charging rate, etc. The sensors also include a wind speed sensor, a wind direction sensor, a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a rainfall sensor, a camera, etc. that detect the state of the external environment of the flying object 20.

[0034] The battery 28 supplies power to the drive mechanism of the flying vehicle 20. The battery 28 may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a solid electrolyte battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, etc. The battery 28 may be charged by connecting it to a power supply device via a power supply cable.

[0035] (Flying vehicle operation) The operation of the server device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] S10: The server device 10 manages the schedule or results regarding at least one of the production of parts, transportation of parts, final assembly of the aircraft, operation, and maintenance related to the aircraft 20. For example, the server device 10 accepts input of information regarding the schedule or results regarding at least one of the production of parts, transportation of parts, final assembly of the aircraft, operation, and maintenance related to the aircraft 20 from the input unit 14. The server device 10 stores this information, thereby centrally managing this information related to the aircraft 20.

[0037] S20: The server device 10 determines a maintenance plan for multiple parts that make up the aircraft 20 based on the operational performance information of the aircraft 20. Specifically, the server device 10 predicts the maintenance timing for each part that makes up the aircraft 20 based on the operational performance information of the aircraft 20. The server device 10 determines the maintenance plan for multiple parts that have close maintenance times so that maintenance work for the multiple parts is carried out together within a single work period.

[0038] By performing maintenance work on multiple parts together within a single work period, the preparation time for the aircraft 20 before the actual start of maintenance work can be completed in one go. Furthermore, when maintenance work on multiple parts is performed in parallel within a single work period, the work time that would normally be required for each part can be completed in one go. In this way, by determining that the maintenance plan be performed on multiple parts that make up the aircraft 20 together, the period during which the aircraft 20 is unable to operate due to maintenance can be reduced.

[0039] For example, the maintenance plan may include allocating the same work period to multiple parts whose maintenance due dates fall within a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be, for example, 10 days, 20 days, one month, two months, etc., based on the replacement date of the part whose replacement date arrives earliest at a given point in time. Any other period may also be used as the predetermined period.

[0040] In this case, the end of the work period may be before the earliest maintenance due date among the multiple parts whose maintenance due dates arrive within the predetermined period, or the start and end of the work period may be determined based on the time required to perform maintenance work on the multiple parts whose maintenance due dates arrive within the predetermined period.

[0041] Furthermore, the maintenance plan may include ordering materials required for the maintenance of multiple parts whose maintenance due dates will arrive within a predetermined period so that the delivery date of the materials is before the start of the work period.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, in addition to determining a maintenance plan for multiple parts that make up the aircraft 20, the server device 10 may output the maintenance plan to a display or the like via the output unit 15.

[0043] The method according to this embodiment may be executed by a server device 10 having a processor for executing the method.

[0044] As described above, the server device 10 according to this embodiment centrally manages information relating to the life cycle of the aircraft 20 and determines a maintenance plan for the multiple parts that make up the aircraft 20 based on operational performance information of the aircraft 20. Therefore, the period during which the aircraft 20 is unable to operate due to maintenance can be reduced, and the availability rate of the aircraft 20 is improved, thereby improving the technology for determining a maintenance plan for the aircraft 20.

[0045] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0046] In one example, the aircraft 20 may be used to provide MaaS (Mobility as a Service), which is a service that utilizes mobility. In one example, the processing procedure in the flowchart of FIG. 3 may be executed when providing a service (MaaS) using the aircraft 20. In this case, the information processing method according to the above processing procedure is an example of a method for providing a service (MaaS) using the aircraft 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 Server device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 14 Input section 15 Output section 20 Flying Objects 21 Control Unit 22 Memory section 23 Input section 24 Output section 25 Communications Department 26 Positioning unit 27 Detection unit 28 Battery

Claims

1. 1. A method performed by a management system for a battery-powered air vehicle, comprising: Managing schedules or results regarding at least one of the production of parts related to the aircraft, transportation of parts, final assembly of the aircraft, operation, and maintenance; determining a maintenance plan for a plurality of components constituting the aircraft based on operational performance information of the aircraft; A method comprising:

2. 10. The method of claim 1, The method, wherein the maintenance plan includes allocating the same work period to a plurality of parts due for maintenance within a predetermined period.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, The method, wherein the end of the work period is before the earliest maintenance due date among the maintenance due dates of a plurality of parts whose maintenance due dates arrive within the predetermined period.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, The method of claim 1, wherein the start and end of the work period are determined based on the time required to perform maintenance on a plurality of parts due for maintenance within the predetermined period.

5. A server device comprising a processor for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for providing MaaS (Mobility as a Service) using the aircraft described in claim 1.

Images