Flight body inspection method

Abstract

To improve a technology for inspecting a battery-powered flight body.SOLUTION: An inspection method for inspecting a battery-powered flight body includes: moving a flight body to place the flight body within an inspection space; measuring a weight and a position of a center of gravity of the flight body by a weight sensor provided on a floor part of the inspection space; acquiring, by a machine body information identification sensor, machine body information of the flight body; and storing, as machine body information of the flight body, the measured weight and position of the center of gravity of the flight body and the machine body information acquired by the machine body information identification sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] It has been disclosed in the past that a functional test of an electric drive system of an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft can be performed by directly or indirectly connecting the electric drive system to an operation confirmation device that tests the function of the electric drive system (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-031008 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 does not consider efficient inspection of aircraft other than electric drive systems. In other words, there is room for improvement in the technology for inspecting battery-powered aircraft.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for inspecting battery-powered flying objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An inspection method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: 1. A method for inspecting a battery-powered flying vehicle, comprising: Moving the flying object and placing it within an inspection space; measuring the weight and center of gravity of the aircraft using a weight sensor provided on the floor of the inspection space; acquiring aircraft information of the aircraft by an aircraft information identification sensor; storing the measured weight and center of gravity position of the aircraft and the aircraft information acquired by the aircraft information identification sensor as aircraft information of the aircraft; Includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, techniques for inspecting battery-powered air vehicles are improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the flying object. [Figure 4] 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.

[0010] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. The system 1 includes at least one server device 10, one flying object 20, and one terminal device 30, which are connected to each other via a network 40 so as to be able to communicate information with each other.

[0011] The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functions as a server that implements various functions. The server device 10 is used by a business that provides inspection services for aircraft 20.

[0012] The aircraft 20 according to this embodiment has electric rotors and flies on battery power. For example, the aircraft 20 is an eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off and Landing). The eVTOL has a cabin approximately the same size as a passenger car that can accommodate one or more occupants, and a mechanism including 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 aircraft 20 is not limited to eVTOLs and includes helicopters, drones, etc. The aircraft 20 has a drive mechanism including a motor for driving the electric rotors, a control unit for the drive mechanism, and a battery for supplying power to the drive mechanism. The battery is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The aircraft 20 may also be operated under instrument flight rules (IFR), for example.

[0013] The terminal device 30 is a device equipped with at least one aircraft information identification sensor, and acquires aircraft information of the aircraft 20 via the network 40. Here, the aircraft information identification sensor refers to a sensor that identifies the aircraft information of the aircraft 20. Furthermore, the aircraft information refers to information related to the aircraft of the aircraft 20. The aircraft information may include information related to the components that make up the aircraft of the aircraft 20.

[0014] The machine information identification sensor is, for example, a sensor constituting a scanner such as a two-dimensional code reader, an RFID reader, etc. That is, the terminal device 30 is, for example, a two-dimensional code reader, an RFID reader, etc.

[0015] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. In the inspection method according to this embodiment, the aircraft 20 is moved and placed in an inspection space. The server device 10 measures the weight and center of gravity position of the aircraft 20 using a weight sensor provided on the floor of the inspection space. The server device 10 acquires aircraft information of the aircraft 20 using an aircraft information identification sensor. The server device 10 is characterized in that it stores the measured weight and center of gravity position of the aircraft 20, as well as the aircraft information acquired by the aircraft information identification sensor, as aircraft information of the aircraft 20.

[0016] Thus, according to this embodiment, when the flying object 20 is placed in the inspection space, the server device 10 measures the weight and center of gravity of the flying object 20, and aircraft information is acquired via the terminal device 30, thereby efficiently acquiring information necessary for inspecting the flying object 20. Therefore, the technology for inspecting battery-powered flying objects is improved in that the workload of the inspector is reduced.

[0017] (Server device configuration) 2, the 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. The server device 10 is, for example, at least one computer. Alternatively, the server device 10 may be composed of two or more computers that are communicatively connected and operate in cooperation with each other. In this case, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is appropriately arranged in the 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] Next, each component of the flying vehicle 20 will be described in detail.

[0025] (Aircraft configuration) As shown in FIG. 3, 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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).

[0029] 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).

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] (Flying vehicle operation) The operation of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] S10: The server device 10 moves the flying object 20 and places it in the inspection space. For example, the server device 10 may move the flying object 20 by towing or other methods and place it in the inspection space. If human intervention is required to move the flying object 20, the server device 10 may issue an announcement sound via the output unit 15 to encourage the movement of the flying object 20.

[0036] S20: The server device 10 measures the weight and center of gravity position of the flying object 20 using a weight sensor installed on the floor of the inspection space. The position of the center of gravity of the flying object 20 is the position of the center of gravity in the horizontal direction. The position of the center of gravity of the flying object 20 may also include the position of the center of gravity in the vertical direction. The weight sensor may be any sensor that measures the weight and center of gravity position of an object placed thereon. For example, the weight sensor may be a mattress-type or sheet-type sensor installed on the floor of the inspection space. Also, for example, the weight sensor may be a sensor that is cast or embedded integrally into the floor of the inspection space.

[0037] S30: The server device 10 acquires the aircraft information of the flying object 20 using the aircraft information identification sensor of the terminal device 30. For example, if the aircraft information identification sensor is an RFID reader, the server device 10 acquires the aircraft information by scanning a tag attached to the aircraft body using the RFID reader sensor.

[0038] S40: The server device 10 stores the measured weight and center of gravity position of the flying object 20, as well as the aircraft information acquired by the aircraft information identification sensor, as aircraft information of the flying object 20. In other words, the server device 10 stores the weight and center of gravity position and aircraft information acquired regarding the flying object 20 in association with the flying object 20.

[0039] For example, the aircraft information identification sensor may read aircraft information from tags attached to components of the aircraft body. The tags may be, for example, two-dimensional codes or RFID tags. By reading aircraft information from tags for each component of the aircraft body, the aircraft information can be acquired more accurately.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, the aircraft information read by the aircraft information identification sensor may include attribute information of the components that make up the aircraft. In other words, the aircraft information may include attribute information about at least some of the components that make up the aircraft. The attribute information may include, for example, at least one of a standard number such as a part number, a serial number, quality assurance information, and traceability information.

[0041] As described above, when the flying object 20 is placed in the inspection space, the control unit 13 of the server device 10 according to this embodiment observes the weight and center of gravity position of the flying object 20 using a weight sensor, and acquires aircraft information using an aircraft information identification sensor of the terminal device 30. Furthermore, this information is stored as aircraft information for the flying object 20. Therefore, the technology for inspecting battery-powered flying objects 20 is improved in that the information necessary for inspecting the flying object 20 can be efficiently acquired.

[0042] 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.

[0043] For example, the system 1 has been described as including at least one server device 10, one flying object 20, and one terminal device 30, all of which are connected to the network 40, but it is not necessary to include a terminal device 30. In other words, the system 1 can also be provided with an aircraft information identification sensor as an external input unit 14 of the server device 10, without including a terminal device 30.

[0044] For example, the server device 10 may store the measured weight and center of gravity position of the aircraft, as well as the aircraft information obtained by the aircraft information identification sensor, as aircraft information of the aircraft, and may also display and output this information on a display or the like via the output unit 15.

[0045] 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. 4 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]

[0046] 1 System 10 Server device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 14 Input section 15 Output section 20 Flying Objects 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Input section 24 Output section 25 Communications Department 26 Positioning unit 27 Detection unit 28 Battery 30 Terminal Equipment 40 Network

Claims

1. 1. A method for inspecting a battery-powered flying vehicle, comprising: Moving the flying object and placing it within an inspection space; measuring the weight and center of gravity of the aircraft using a weight sensor provided on the floor of the inspection space; acquiring aircraft information of the aircraft by an aircraft information identification sensor; storing the measured weight and center of gravity position of the aircraft and the aircraft information acquired by the aircraft information identification sensor as aircraft information of the aircraft; An inspection method including:

2. The inspection method according to claim 1, An inspection method including the aircraft information identification sensor reading aircraft information of the aircraft from a tag pre-attached to a component constituting the aircraft's body.

3. The inspection method according to claim 2, The inspection method, wherein the tag is at least one of a two-dimensional code and an RFID tag.

4. The inspection method according to claim 3, An inspection method in which the aircraft body information includes attribute information regarding at least some of the components that make up the aircraft body.

5. The inspection method according to claim 4, An inspection method, wherein the attribute information includes at least one of a standard number, a serial number, quality assurance information, and traceability information.

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

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