Inspection auxiliary tool and inspection auxiliary system

Abstract

To provide an inspection auxiliary tool and inspection auxiliary system capable of performing inspection work by being inserted into a narrow inspection place, and capable of easily grasping a shooting direction and appropriately changing the shooting direction.SOLUTION: An underfloor inspection auxiliary tool 10 is inserted from the outside to the inside of an underfloor area, and is used to assist in photographing the underfloor area. The underfloor inspection auxiliary tool 10 comprises a holding unit 11 that holds a smartphone SP for photographing the underfloor area, and a posture control unit 14 that changes the posture of the holding unit 11 to change a shooting direction of the smartphone SP. The posture control unit 14 has: right and left operating rods 15, elongated members having a proximal end part 151 and a distal end part 152, which longitudinally displace the distal end part 152 by operating the proximal end part 151; and right and left connecting rotors 16 that connect the distal end part 152 of each of the right and left operating rods 15 to the holding unit 11, and change an azimuth direction of the holding unit 11 by longitudinally displacing the distal end part 152.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection aid and an inspection aid system, and more particularly to an inspection aid and an inspection aid system used for inspecting narrow spaces such as underfloor spaces. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, underfloor inspections have been conducted to check the condition of the foundation, base, piping, etc. Specifically, inspection workers crawl under the floor of the house and visually inspect for cracks in the foundation, termite damage to the foundation, water leaks in the piping, etc. However, underfloor inspection work requires moving around in the narrow underfloor space, which is a heavy workload, and since the resident must be present in advance, it can be difficult to schedule the inspection work.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an insertion-type remote inspection system that enables remote inspection of equipment in narrow spaces that are difficult for humans to access. Specifically, an inspection head equipped with lighting and a CCD camera is inserted into the narrow space, and the image captured by the inspection head is displayed on a remote monitor connected via an image fiber. This allows inspection of equipment in narrow spaces without humans having to enter the narrow space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-281382 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The insertion-type remote inspection system described in Patent Document 1 eliminates the need for inspectors to move around in narrow underfloor spaces while performing inspections, thereby reducing the workload. Furthermore, even when residents are not at home, an inspection head can be inserted under the floor from outside, eliminating the need for residents to be present and the need to schedule inspection work. However, as explained below, further improvements were needed. Specifically, the insertion-type remote inspection system guided the inspection head using a coiled guide pipe, making it difficult to grasp the position and imaging direction of the inspection head and to accurately control the inspection head.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inspection aid and an inspection aid system that can be inserted into a narrow inspection space to perform inspection work, and that can easily grasp the shooting direction and change the shooting direction appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above problem is solved by the inspection aid of the present invention, which is an inspection aid that is inserted from the outside to the inside of an inspection location and is used to assist in photographing the inspection location, and which comprises: a holding section that holds an imaging device that photographs the inspection location; and an attitude control section that changes the attitude of the holding section to change the imaging direction of the imaging device, wherein the attitude control section is a long member having a proximal end and a distal end, and includes left and right operating rods that displace the distal end section in the longitudinal direction by operating the proximal end section, and left and right connecting rotors that connect the distal end sections of the left and right operating rods to the holding section, and change the azimuthal attitude of the holding section by the longitudinal displacement of the distal end section.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the camera is held in the holding section, and the proximal ends of the left and right operating rods are operated in the forward and backward directions to change the azimuth angle of the camera held in the holding section. This makes it possible to insert the camera into a narrow inspection space for inspection work, and also makes it possible to change the camera direction of the camera by using the left and right operating rods, making it easy to grasp the camera direction and to change the camera direction appropriately.

[0009] The connecting rotor may have a rotation shaft that is rotatable in the azimuth direction, and the operating rod may be connected to the connecting rotor at the outer periphery of the rotation shaft. According to the above configuration, the operating rod is connected to the connecting rotor at the outer periphery of the rotating shaft, so that it is possible to change the azimuthal position of the holding part without the operating rod interfering with the connecting rotor.

[0010] The inspection aid may also have an elevation angle rotator that can change the position of the holding portion in the elevation angle direction. According to the above configuration, it is possible to change the photographing direction of the photographing device held by the holding part in the elevation angle direction.

[0011] In addition, the inspection aid may have a movable body attached to the holding portion and a drive unit that drives the movable body, and the drive unit may drive the movable body, causing the movable body to rotate the elevation angle rotor. According to the above configuration, the photographing direction of the photographing device can be changed in the elevation direction by the movable body and the drive device, which makes it possible to improve workability.

[0012] In addition, the attitude manipulation unit can have a proximal end and a distal end connected to the holding unit, and can have a string-like body that rotates the elevation angle rotor by manipulating the proximal end. According to the above configuration, the imaging direction of the imaging device can be changed in the elevation angle direction by operating the string-like body (wire member).

[0013] In addition, the holding portion may have a holding substrate made of a plate-like body, and a plurality of clamping pieces that clamp the peripheral portion of the smartphone together with the holding substrate when the smartphone used as the photographing device is placed on top of the holding substrate. According to the above configuration, the holding portion can be made thinner when holding a smartphone, making it easy to insert the inspection aid and smartphone even if the vertical dimension of the insertion port relative to the inspection location is small.

[0014] The connecting rotor may be rotatable in both the azimuth and elevation directions. According to the above configuration, the imaging direction of the imaging device can be changed in the azimuth direction and the elevation direction by the connecting rotor, so there is no need to provide separate rotors for the azimuth direction and the elevation direction, making it easier to reduce the number of parts.

[0015] Furthermore, the above problem is solved by providing the above inspection aid and a monitor device installed outside the inspection location, the monitor device having a communicator that communicates with the photographing device and is capable of receiving image data acquired by the photographing device, and a display that displays the image data received by the communicator.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the camera is held in the holder, and the posture of the camera held in the holder can be changed in the azimuth direction by operating the proximal ends of the left and right operating rods in the forward and backward directions while checking the image data displayed on the display of the monitor device. This makes it possible to insert the camera into a narrow inspection space for inspection work, and also makes it possible to easily grasp the imaging direction and change the imaging direction appropriately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The inspection aid and inspection aid system of the present invention can be inserted into a narrow inspection area to perform inspection work, and it is also possible to easily grasp the shooting direction and change the shooting direction appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the ventilation opening as seen from under the floor. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an underfloor inspection assistance system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the underfloor inspection aid with the smartphone removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view of the underfloor inspection aid with the connecting rotor rotated. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the underfloor inspection aid inserted into the ventilation opening. [Figure 6] This is an oblique view of the underfloor inspection aid photographing the front. [Figure 7] This is an oblique view of the underfloor inspection aid photographing the right side. [Figure 8] This is an oblique view of the underfloor inspection aid photographing the left side. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the underfloor inspection aid photographing the upper part. [Figure 10] This is an oblique view of the underfloor inspection aid photographing the upper right corner. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view of an underfloor inspection aid according to a first modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the operation of the underfloor inspection aid according to the second modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an underfloor inspection aid according to a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An underfloor inspection aid 10 and an underfloor inspection aid system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment) will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention can be changed or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and of course, the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0020] In the following description, the "front-to-back direction" refers to the front-to-back direction as seen by the underfloor inspection worker operating the underfloor inspection aid 10, and corresponds to the direction in which the underfloor inspection aid 10 is inserted under the floor or pulled out from under the floor. The "up-down direction" refers to the direction that corresponds to the vertical direction. The "left-to-right direction" refers to the left-to-right direction as seen by the underfloor inspection worker operating the underfloor inspection aid 10, and corresponds to the direction that is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-to-down direction. In the following explanation, "azimuth direction" refers to the direction of rotation in a horizontal plane, with the reference direction being the front direction when the underfloor inspection worker is facing the ventilation opening B1. Also, "elevation direction" refers to the direction of rotation in a vertical plane, with the reference direction being the front direction when the underfloor inspection worker is facing the ventilation opening B1.

[0021] <Underfloor structure FS> First, the structure under the floor of the house to be inspected (hereinafter referred to as the underfloor structure FS) will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The underfloor corresponds to the inspection location. As shown in Figure 1, the underfloor structure FS is mainly composed of a foundation B, a base F1 supported by the foundation B, joists F2 spanning the base F1, and joists F3 installed on the joists F2. The joists F2 are supported by beams F4 against the top surface B2 of the foundation B, which is called a slab foundation. Although not shown in FIG. 1, piping, electrical wiring, etc. are installed under the floor.

[0022] To check the condition of the underfloor structure FS, which is configured as described above, regular underfloor inspections are carried out. Specifically, workers crawl under the floor and visually check for cracks in foundation B, termite damage to base F1, mold growth, water leaks in the pipes, etc. This means that the inspectors have to move around the narrow underfloor space while carrying out their inspection work, which places a heavy burden on them.

[0023] Therefore, the underfloor inspection assistance system 1 is used to insert the underfloor inspection assistance tool 10 from the outside (outdoors) into a ventilation opening B1 provided in a foundation B, and acquire image data of the inside to perform an inspection. Although one ventilation opening B1 is shown in FIG. 1, multiple ventilation openings B1 may be arranged at predetermined intervals from one another. The underfloor inspection assistance tool 10 and the underfloor inspection assistance system 1 will be described below.

[0024] <Underfloor inspection assistance system 1> Fig. 2 shows the overall configuration of the underfloor inspection assistance system 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the underfloor inspection assistance system 1 mainly comprises an underfloor inspection assistance tool 10 and a monitor device 20. The underfloor inspection assistance tool 10 is inserted from the outside of the underfloor area to the inside of the underfloor area and is operated by an inspector to acquire image data of the underfloor area. A smartphone SP held by the underfloor inspection assistance tool 10 can wirelessly transmit the acquired image data to the monitor device 20.

[0025] The monitor device 20 can receive image data transmitted by the smartphone SP and display the image data on the display unit 21. In Fig. 1, the monitor device 20 is a tablet terminal, but is not limited to this. The monitor device 20 may be a notebook terminal as long as it is capable of receiving and displaying image data transmitted by the smartphone SP.

[0026] With the underfloor inspection assistance system 1 configured as described above, an inspection worker operating the underfloor inspection assistance tool 10 from outside the underfloor area can check the underfloor situation in real time without having to enter the narrow underfloor area. Also, by operating the underfloor inspection assistance tool 10, the inspection worker operating the underfloor inspection assistance tool 10 can easily grasp the shooting direction and change the shooting direction appropriately.

[0027] <Underfloor inspection aid 10> Fig. 3 is a front view of the underfloor inspection aid 10. Specifically, Fig. 3 is a front view of the underfloor inspection aid 10 with the smartphone SP removed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the underfloor inspection aid 10 mainly comprises a holding portion 11, a connecting plate 12, a hinge 13, and a posture control portion 14.

[0028] The holding unit 11 can hold a smartphone SP. Specifically, the holding unit 11 has a holding plate 111 and three clamping pieces 112. The holding unit 11 can hold the smartphone SP by clamping the peripheral edge of the housing SP1 of the smartphone SP between the holding plate 111 and the clamping pieces 112, with the smartphone SP placed on the holding plate 111 so that the photographing unit SP2 does not overlap. The smartphone SP is an imaging device that acquires image data of the underfloor area using the photographing unit SP2. However, the imaging device held by the holding unit 11 is not limited to a smartphone SP. As long as it can acquire image data required for inspection work, the holding unit 11 may, of course, hold a tablet-type device.

[0029] The holding plate 111 is a rectangular plate-like body, and has dimensions larger than the size of the smartphone SP. This prevents the smartphone SP from being damaged by coming into contact with the foundation B, piping under the floor, etc. The holding plate 111 is a metal plate, but is not limited to this. The holding plate 111 may be a synthetic resin plate as long as it has the strength to prevent damage to the smartphone SP. The holding plate 111 corresponds to a holding substrate.

[0030] The clamping piece 112 is an angled bar having an L-shaped cross section, and can clamp the housing SP1 of the smartphone SP placed on the holding plate 111 together with the holding plate 111 (see FIG. 6). In other words, the clamping piece 112 forms a clamping space between itself and the holding plate 111 that is approximately equal to the thickness of the smartphone SP. By holding the smartphone SP with the holding plate 111 and the clamping piece 112, the thickness of the holding unit 11 can be reduced. Therefore, even if the vertical dimension of the ventilation opening B1 formed in the foundation B is small, the smartphone SP held by the holding unit 11 can be inserted from the outside to the inside under the floor. 2 and 3, three clamping pieces 112 are provided on the holding plate 111, but the number and arrangement of the clamping pieces 112 are not limited to the number and arrangement shown in FIGS.

[0031] The smartphone SP held by the holding unit 11 has a photographing unit SP2 that acquires image data. The photographing unit SP2 has a light and a camera, and when inserted inside the underfloor space, it can brightly illuminate the underfloor space and acquire image data of the underfloor space. The photographing unit SP2 can acquire still images, but is not limited to this. The photographing unit SP2 may also acquire moving images. Furthermore, the photographing unit SP2 has an automatic focal position adjustment function, which allows the photographing unit SP2 to acquire image data by optimally controlling the focal position for the foundation B, base F1, joists F2, joists F3, beams F4, pipes, etc., which are located in the front direction.

[0032] The smartphone SP is equipped with a wireless communication unit that transmits acquired image data. This allows image data acquired inside the underfloor space to be displayed on a monitor device 20 installed outside the underfloor space, making it possible to inspect the underfloor space in real time. Details of the monitor device 20 will be described later.

[0033] The connecting plate 12 connects the holding plate 111 and the attitude manipulation unit 14 (described later) to each other. More specifically, the connecting plate 12 connects the attitude manipulation unit 14 and the holding plate 111 via the hinge 13. This makes it possible to change the shooting direction of the smartphone SP held by the holding unit 11 using the hinge 13. The connecting plate 12 is a rectangular metal plate-like body, so that even if the vertical dimension of the ventilation opening B1 is small, it is possible to insert the smartphone SP from the outside to the inside of the underfloor space.

[0034] The hinge 13 rotatably connects the holding plate 111 and the connecting plate 12 to each other. As will be described later with reference to Figures 5 to 10, the hinge 13 can change the attitude of the holding part 11 in the elevation angle direction in order to change the shooting direction in the elevation angle direction of the smartphone SP inserted into the inside of the underfloor space through the ventilation opening B1. The hinge 13 corresponds to an elevation angle rotator.

[0035] The attitude manipulation unit 14 is an operating means for changing the attitude of the holding unit 11 in order to change the shooting direction of the smartphone SP. Specifically, the attitude manipulation unit 14 mainly comprises left and right manipulation rods 15 and left and right connecting rotors 16 that connect the left and right manipulation rods 15 to the connecting plate 12, respectively.

[0036] The operating rod 15 has a left operating rod 15A connected to the left side of the connecting plate 12, and a right operating rod 15B connected to the right side of the connecting plate 12. Because the left operating rod 15A and the right operating rod 15B have the same shape and configuration, in the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the left operating rod 15A and the right operating rod 15B, they will be simply referred to as operating rod 15.

[0037] The operating rod 15 is an elongated member having a proximal end 151 and a distal end 152. The operating rod 15 also has an extension section 153 between the proximal end 151 and the distal end 152, allowing it to be extended and contracted. Specifically, the operating rod 15 is extendable between 15 cm and 2 m, but is not limited to this. Of course, the operating rod 15 may be extendable to a length exceeding 2 m.

[0038] The proximal end 151 functions as a gripping portion that is gripped when operating the operating rod 15 back and forth. A gripping handle may be attached to the proximal end 151 to make it easier for an inspection worker to grip. The distal end portion 152 is displaced in the front-to-rear direction (the longitudinal direction of the operating rod 15) by operating the proximal end portion 151. The distal end portion 152 is connected to the connecting plate 12 via a connecting member 162 of the connecting rotor 16.

[0039] The connecting rotor 16 has a left connecting rotor 16A located on the left side of the connecting plate 12 and a right connecting rotor 16B located on the right side of the connecting plate 12. The left connecting rotor 16A and the right connecting rotor 16B have the same shape and configuration except for being bilaterally symmetrical. Therefore, in the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the left connecting rotor 16A and the right connecting rotor 16B, they will be simply referred to as connecting rotor 16.

[0040] The connecting rotor 16 rotatably connects the distal end 152 of the operating rod 15 to the connecting plate 12. The connecting rotor 16 has a rotation axis 161 extending in a direction perpendicular to the connecting plate 12 and a connector 162 that connects to the operating rod 15, and changes the attitude of the holding part 11 in the azimuth angle direction by displacing the distal end 152 in the front-to-rear direction (longitudinal direction).

[0041] The connector 162 is located on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft 161. Therefore, when the connecting rotor 16 rotates around the rotation shaft 161, the connector 162 is displaced in the circumferential direction at a certain distance from the rotation shaft 161. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the left connecting rotor 16A and the right connecting rotor 16B rotate, it is possible to prevent interference between the operating rod 15 and the connecting rotor 16.

[0042] <Monitor device 20> Next, a description will be given of the monitor device 20. The monitor device 20 can receive and display image data acquired by the smartphone SP held in the underfloor inspection aid 10. The monitor device 20 mainly comprises a wireless communication unit (not shown) capable of receiving image data, a display unit 21 (see FIG. 1) that displays the image data received by the wireless communication unit, and a control device (not shown) that controls the entire monitor device 20.

[0043] The wireless communication unit is a wireless communication unit that complies with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication standard, but is not limited to this. The wireless communication device only needs to be able to receive image data acquired by the smartphone SP by wirelessly communicating with the smartphone SP, and may be a wireless communication unit that complies with the wireless LAN communication standard. The wireless communication unit corresponds to a communicator.

[0044] The display unit 21 is a liquid crystal display device, but is not limited to this. The display unit 21 only needs to be able to display image data received by the wireless communication unit with sufficient visibility, and the display unit 21 may be an organic EL display device. The display unit 21 corresponds to a display.

[0045] The control device is a known control circuit having a processor, a volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory. The processor loads a program stored in the non-volatile memory into the volatile memory and executes it to control the wireless communication unit and the display unit 21, thereby causing the image data to be displayed on the display unit 21.

[0046] <Underfloor inspection method using underfloor inspection assistance system 1> Next, an underfloor inspection method using the underfloor inspection assistance system 1 will be described. As described above, the underfloor inspection aid 10 can hold a smartphone SP, and is inserted under the floor through the ventilation opening B1 of the foundation B while holding the smartphone SP, and is used to obtain image data of the underfloor.

[0047] First, the underfloor inspection aid 10 is inserted into the underfloor space through the ventilation opening B1. Fig. 5 shows how the underfloor inspection aid 10 is inserted from the outside to the inside of the underfloor area. As shown in Fig. 5, the holder 11 holding the smartphone SP is first inserted into the ventilation opening B1. At this time, the photographing part SP2 of the smartphone SP faces upward.

[0048] Next, the telescopic part 153 of the operating rod 15 is extended to insert the underfloor inspection aid 10 deep into the ventilation opening B1. This allows the photographing part SP2 of the smartphone SP to photograph the area in front of (the front direction of) the ventilation opening B1 and acquire image data. Fig. 6 shows a state in which an image of the area in front of the ventilation opening B1 is being captured. As shown in Fig. 6, the smartphone SP held by the holder 11 rotates downward via the hinge 13 and faces the area in front of the ventilation opening B1. Therefore, the smartphone SP can control the image capturer SP2 to acquire image data of the underfloor structure FS in front of the ventilation opening B1.

[0049] Next, the left operating stick 15A and the right operating stick 15B are operated in the forward and backward directions, thereby changing the attitude of the holding part 11 in the azimuth angle direction, and the shooting direction of the smartphone SP in the azimuth angle direction can be changed. Fig. 7 shows a state in which an image is being taken of the right side of the ventilation opening B1. As shown in Fig. 7, when the left operating rod 15A is operated forward relative to the right operating rod 15B, the holding part 11 faces the right side of the ventilation opening B1 via the connecting rotor 16. Therefore, the smartphone SP can control the photographing part SP2 to acquire image data of the underfloor structure FS to the right of the ventilation opening B1.

[0050] Next, the left operating stick 15A and the right operating stick 15B are operated in the forward and backward directions again, which changes the attitude of the holding part 11 in the azimuth angle direction again, and the shooting direction of the smartphone SP in the azimuth angle direction can be changed again. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the left side of the ventilation opening B1 is being photographed. As shown in Fig. 8, when the right operating rod 15B is operated forward relative to the left operating rod 15A, the holding part 11 faces the left side of the ventilation opening B1 via the connecting rotor 16. Therefore, the smartphone SP can control the photographing part SP2 to acquire image data of the underfloor structure FS to the left of the ventilation opening B1.

[0051] Next, the left operating stick 15A and the right operating stick 15B are operated back and forth again, which changes the attitude of the holding part 11 in the elevation angle direction, and makes it possible to change the shooting direction of the smartphone SP in the elevation angle direction. Figure 9 shows a state in which an image of the area above the ventilation opening B1 is being captured. As shown in Figure 9, with the holding unit 11 in contact with the upper surface B2 of the foundation B, the left operating rod 15A and the right operating rod 15B are operated to retract into the ventilation opening B1, causing the holding plate 111 to rotate and deploy horizontally via the hinge 13. Therefore, the smartphone SP can control the photographing unit SP2 to acquire image data of the underfloor structure FS above the ventilation opening B1.

[0052] Next, the left operating rod 15A and the right operating rod 15B are operated in the forward and backward directions again, which changes the attitude of the holding part 11 in the azimuth angle direction and the elevation angle direction again, thereby changing the shooting direction of the smartphone SP in the azimuth angle direction and the elevation angle direction again. 10, with the holding part 11 abutting against the upper surface B2 of the foundation B, the left operating rod 15A is operated forward relative to the right operating rod 15B, so that the connecting plate 12 and holding part 11 face directly above and to the right of the ventilation opening B1. The holding plate 111 also rotates via the hinge 13 to assume an inclined position. Therefore, the smartphone SP can control the photographing part SP2 to acquire image data of the underfloor structure FS above and to the right of the ventilation opening B1.

[0053] Next, the left operating rod 15A and the right operating rod 15B are operated in the forward and backward directions again, which changes the attitude of the holding part 11 in the azimuth angle direction and the elevation angle direction again, thereby changing the shooting direction of the smartphone SP in the azimuth angle direction and the elevation angle direction again. Although not shown, when the right operating rod 15B is operated forward relative to the left operating rod 15A with the holding part 11 abutting against the upper surface B2 of the foundation B, the connecting plate 12 and the holding part 11 face directly above and to the left of the ventilation opening B1. The holding plate 111 also rotates via the hinge 13 to assume an inclined position. Therefore, the smartphone SP can control the photographing part SP2 to acquire image data of the underfloor structure FS above and to the left of the ventilation opening B1.

[0054] Finally, the inspection worker operates the left operating rod 15A and the right operating rod 15B while visually checking the image data of the underfloor structure FS displayed on the display unit 21 of the monitor device 20, and pulls out the underfloor inspection aid 10 from the ventilation opening B1. The worker may continue the underfloor inspection work by inserting the underfloor inspection aid 10 into another of the multiple ventilation openings B1 provided and acquiring image data again from a different position.

[0055] The above describes the underfloor inspection aid 10 and underfloor inspection aid system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, but the above-described embodiment is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the underfloor inspection aid 10 has been described as having the connecting rotor 16 that can change the position of the holding part 11 in the azimuth angle direction and the hinge 13 that can change the position in the elevation angle direction, but is not limited to this. The underfloor inspection aid 10 may also have a ball joint 17 that can rotate in the azimuth angle direction and the elevation angle direction.

[0056] <First Modification> FIG. 11 is a front view of an underfloor inspection aid 110 according to a first modified example. 11, the underfloor inspection aid 110 has a holding unit 11 and a posture control unit 114. The holding unit 11 has the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The attitude manipulation unit 114 has a left ball joint 17A connected to the left side of the holding plate 111 and a right ball joint 17B connected to the right side of the holding plate 111. The left ball joint 17A and the right ball joint 17B can rotate the holding unit 11 in the azimuth direction and the elevation direction when the left operating rod 15A and the right operating rod 15B are operated forward or backward. Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, the underfloor inspection aid 110 can acquire image data of the front, right, left, above, upper right, and upper left of the ventilation opening B1 using the smartphone SP held in the holding unit 11. Furthermore, the underfloor inspection aid 110 does not require the connecting plate 12 and the hinge 13. Therefore, the underfloor inspection aid 110 can suppress an increase in the number of parts.

[0058] <Second Modification> In the above-described embodiment, when changing the attitude of the holding part 11 in the elevation angle direction, the left operating rod 15A and the right operating rod 15B are operated to rotate the hinge 13, but this is not limiting. A movable body may be provided between the holding plate 111 and the connecting plate 12, and the hinge 13 may be rotated by deformation of the movable body.

[0059] Fig. 12 is a side view showing how an underfloor inspection aid 210 according to a second modified example rotates around the hinge 13. As shown in Fig. 12, the underfloor inspection aid 210 has an air containing bag 18 that changes the attitude of the holding part 11 in the elevation angle direction by rotating the hinge 13. The air containing bag 18 will be described in detail below.

[0060] The air containing bag 18 is connected to an air supply pump (not shown) via an air hose 181. The air containing bag 18 expands when compressed air is injected from the air supply pump via the air hose 181, and conversely, the air containing bag 18 contracts when compressed air is discharged. In other words, the air containing bag 18 is a movable body that expands and contracts with compressed air, and the air supply pump is a driving device that drives the air containing bag 18 to expand or contract by controlling the flow of compressed air.

[0061] The air containing bag 18 is attached so as to be interposed between the holding plate 111 and the connecting plate 12. Therefore, the hinge 13 rotates when the air containing bag 18 expands or contracts. More specifically, when the air containing bag 18 expands, the hinge 13 rotates so as to separate the holding plate 111 and the connecting plate 12. On the other hand, when the air containing bag 18 contracts, the hinge 13 rotates so as to bring the holding plate 111 and the connecting plate 12 closer to each other. Therefore, the inspector can change the position of the holding part 11 in the elevation angle direction by operating the air supply pump. Therefore, underfloor inspection can be performed more easily than in the above-described embodiment.

[0062] Although the air containment bladder 18 is described as being filled with compressed air from an air supply pump, this is not limiting, and the inflatable and deflatable containment body may also be supplied with a liquid. Furthermore, the movable body attached to the holding plate 111 or the connecting plate 12 is not limited to the air containing bag 18. Anything can be used as the movable body as long as it can change the positional relationship between the holding plate 111 and the connecting plate 12. However, it is preferable to use a thin movable body so that the underfloor inspection aid 10 can be inserted into and removed from the ventilation opening B1, which has a small vertical dimension.

[0063] <Third Modification> Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an underfloor inspection aid 310 according to a third modified example. As shown in Fig. 13, the attitude manipulation unit 314 of the underfloor inspection aid 310 has a drive wire 19 that changes the attitude of the holding unit 11 in the elevation angle direction. The drive wire 19 will be described below.

[0064] The drive wire 19 is a wire member having a proximal end 191 and a distal end 192. The distal end 192 is fixed to the tip of the holding unit 11. Therefore, an inspection worker can rotate the hinge 13 by pulling the drive wire 19 into the ventilation opening B1, thereby flexibly changing the attitude of the holding unit 11 in the elevation angle direction. This makes it possible to change the imaging direction more flexibly than in the above-mentioned embodiment. The drive wire 19 corresponds to a string-like body.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the underfloor inspection aid 10 and the underfloor inspection aid system 1 are described as being used to assist in the inspection work under the floor of a house, but are not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to inspection work in narrow spaces such as ceilings or in environments that are harsh for the human body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Underfloor inspection assistance system 10, 110, 210, 310 Underfloor inspection aids 11 Holding part 111 holding plate (holding substrate) 112 Clamping piece 12 Connecting plate 13 Hinge (elevation angle rotator) 14, 114, 314 Attitude control section 15 Control rod 15A left control rod 15B Right control rod 151 proximal end 152 distal end 153 Telescopic part 16 Connected Rotating Body 16A Left-hand connected rotor 16B Right-hand connecting rotor 161 Rotation axis 162 Connector 17 Ball Joint 17A Left ball joint 17B Right ball joint 18 Air storage bag (movable body) 181 Air Hose 19 Drive wire 191 proximal end 192 distal end 20 Monitor Device 21 Display unit FS Underfloor structure B. Basics B1 Ventilation vent B2 top surface F1 Foundation F2 Main rail F3 Joist F4 bunch SP Smartphone SP1 chassis SP2 Filming Department

Claims

1. An inspection aid that is inserted from the outside to the inside of an inspection location and is used to assist in photographing the inspection location, a holding unit that holds an imaging device that photographs the inspection location; an attitude manipulation unit that changes the attitude of the holding unit in order to change the photographing direction of the photographing device, The attitude manipulation unit is left and right operating rods, each of which is an elongated member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and which displaces the distal end portion in a longitudinal direction by operating the proximal end portion; An inspection aid characterized by having left and right connecting rotors that connect the distal end portions of the left and right operating rods to the holding portion and change the azimuthal posture of the holding portion by longitudinal displacement of the distal end portions.

2. the connecting rotor has a rotation axis that is rotatable in an azimuth angle direction, 2. The inspection aid according to claim 1, wherein the operating rod is connected to the connecting rotor at an outer periphery of the rotary shaft.

3. 2. The inspection aid according to claim 1, wherein the inspection aid has an elevation angle rotator that can change the position of the holding portion in the elevation angle direction.

4. The inspection auxiliary tool has a movable body attached to the holding portion and a drive device that drives the movable body, 4. The inspection aid according to claim 3, wherein the driving device drives the movable body, causing the movable body to rotate the elevation angle rotator.

5. The inspection aid described in claim 3, characterized in that the attitude manipulation unit has a proximal end and a distal end connected to the holding unit, and has a string-like body that rotates the elevation angle rotor by manipulating the proximal end.

6. The holding portion is a holding substrate made of a plate-like body; The inspection aid described in claim 1, characterized in that it has a plurality of clamping pieces that clamp the peripheral portion of the smartphone used as the photographing device together with the holding base when the smartphone is placed on top of the holding base.

7. 2. The inspection aid according to claim 1, wherein the connecting rotor is rotatable in an azimuth direction and an elevation direction.

8. The inspection aid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a monitor device installed outside the inspection location, The monitor device a communication device capable of communicating with the photographing device and receiving image data acquired by the photographing device; and a display that displays the image data received by the communication device.

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