A cable break detection device that can be used as an anti-theft device for cables.

Abstract

The present invention provides a cable break detection device that is useful for detecting when a cable has been cut due to some kind of malfunction or electrical accident, or for detecting signs of cable breakage by detecting the break in a theft-predicting conductive wire before the cable itself is cut by a thief, identifying the location of the break, and using security equipment such as drones to warn the thief or contact security personnel to apprehend the thief, thereby deterring theft before the cable is cut. [Solution] The wire break detection device (cable anti-theft device) 10 has a plurality of wire break detection conductive wires (theft prediction detection conductive wires) 6A arranged at both ends of a cable 1 which is made up of a plurality of bundles of electric wires 3, each consisting of a metal core wire 2a covered with an insulating layer 2b; a detection circuit 30a that detects a wire break based on a change in voltage or current due to a wire break; a notification circuit 40 that emits a wire break signal; and a first operating circuit 60 that operates a first security device 90 consisting of a drone 91a1.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable break detection device that can detect when cables are cut due to faults, electrical accidents, or theft in solar power plants, construction sites, etc., and in particular to a cable break detection device that can be used as a cable theft prevention device to detect and prevent the theft of main cables in advance. [Background technology]

[0002] To realize a decarbonized society, solar power generation is being carried out in a variety of locations, including residential solar power generation on rooftops, vast mountainous areas, wilderness, fallow land, abandoned farmland, and factory grounds. Many large-scale commercial solar power plants, such as so-called mega solar power plants with a capacity of 1000 kW or more and high-voltage solar power plants with a capacity of 50 kW or more, have been constructed.

[0003] In such a commercial solar power plant 100, as shown in Figure 10, solar panel modules 102, each consisting of multiple solar cell elements 101 of approximately 10 cm square arranged vertically and horizontally, are combined in series to form a parallel array 103, which converts sunlight into electricity. For each array 103, current is collected via cable terminals 104a and 104b through thin-diameter cables 104 made of highly conductive metal stranded core wires such as copper to a terminal box 105 equipped with a solar power aggregation panel, where the voltage is equalized. From each terminal box 105, the power is combined via cable terminals 106a and 106b through thick-diameter trunk cables 106, which are made of bundled copper metal stranded core wires covered with a sheath and buried underground, in trenches, or protected by tubes, to an aggregation box 107 equipped with a DC aggregation panel. The power is then converted to AC via a DC-to-AC converter 108, also called a power conditioner (PCS), and supplied as electricity.

[0004] Commercial solar power plants are often located on vast tracts of land in mountainous areas without permanent security guards, making them less visible to the public, both during the day and especially at night. Combined with the soaring price of metals, particularly copper, tens of billions of yen worth of trunk cables are stolen annually, with thieves targeting the copper core wires within larger cables rather than smaller ones, stealing large quantities of copper at once.

[0005] Relevant government ministries, the police, and insurance companies have issued warnings about frequent thefts of trunk cables 106, including the cable terminals 106a and 106b located near terminal boxes 105 and manifold boxes 107, which are exposed above ground with their sheaths stripped for connection to these manifolds. These thefts involve cutting the trunk cable 106 and then removing the entire cable.

[0006] Similarly, at construction sites such as buildings constructed of reinforced concrete and steel frame, where major electrical cables are being installed, main cables are being stolen at night.

[0007] To prevent theft of cables at solar power plants and the like, and to reduce economic losses due to the suspension of power generation caused by theft, Patent Document 1 discloses an alarm device comprising "a first power supply means for supplying a first current to a conductor, a sound-emitting means for issuing an alarm, a second power supply means for supplying a second current to the sound-emitting means, and a switch means that is turned ON / OFF in response to the first current or the second current, wherein the first power supply means is connected to earth via the conductor and supplies current to the switch means when the conductor is cut, the second power supply means is connected to the switch means via the sound-emitting means, and the sound-emitting means becomes energized when the first power supply means supplies current to the switch means and the sound-emitting means issues an alarm," and this alarm device is used for crime prevention. Such alarm systems sound an alarm when the conductor, or cable itself, is cut. However, even if the alarm stops the theft, repairs take time and money. Moreover, in remote mountainous areas, security guards cannot arrive quickly, which can be an opportunity for thieves to continue their theft and steal the severed main cable, leading to further damage. Not only main cables, but also small-diameter cables are susceptible to similar theft.

[0008] One of the applicants, in order to solve the above problem, filed a patent application in Patent Document 2, which provides for "a cable made of a bundle of multiple wires, each having a metal core covered with an insulating layer, wherein a plurality of theft-predicting conductive wires are arranged at both ends of the cable, a detection circuit that detects a break in the wire based on a change in voltage or current due to the theft-predicting break in the theft-predicting conductive wires that occurs when the cable is intentionally cut, a notification circuit that emits a break signal based on the detection of the break, and at least one of the following: a break signal receiving terminal, monitoring equipment, alarm equipment, warning lighting equipment, recording equipment, and street light extinguisher, A patent has already been granted for a cable anti-theft device that has an operating circuit for operating any security device, wherein the plurality of theft prediction conductive wires are made of enameled wire covered with an insulator and are arranged at equal intervals from each other along the longitudinal direction of the cable, or each consists of a portion that is arranged at equal intervals from each other along the longitudinal direction of the cable and a portion that is annular or spiral around the cable.

[0009] The present inventors have further improved upon the invention described in Patent Document 2, and using a drone to identify the location of the broken wire, have discovered a wire break detection device, and in particular a cable theft prevention device that is even more effective in preventing theft, thereby completing the present invention. [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3209446 Gazette [Patent Document 2] Patent application 2024-57604 (Patent No. 7613784) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and aims to provide a cable break detection device that is useful for detecting when a cable has been cut due to some kind of malfunction or electrical accident, or for detecting signs of cable breakage by breaking a theft-predicting conductive wire before the cable itself is cut by a thief, identifying the location of the break, and enabling security equipment such as drones to warn the thief or contact security personnel to apprehend the thief, thereby deterring theft before the cable is cut. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the wire break detection device of the present invention comprises one or more wire break detection conductive wires arranged at both ends of a cable which is made up of a bundle of multiple electric wires, each having a metal core covered with an insulating layer; a detection circuit which detects a wire break based on a change in voltage or current due to a break in the wire break detection conductive wire; a notification circuit which transmits a wire break signal indicating the wire break by wire or wireless based on the detection of the wire break; a drone; and a first operating circuit which operates the drone to fly from a standby position to the area above the wire break in response to the reception of the wire break signal, wherein the wire break detection conductive wire is made of enameled wire covered with an insulator and is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the cable, or to wrap around the cable in a ring or spiral shape.

[0012] This wire break detection device preferably uses a wire break detection conductive wire as a theft prediction detection conductive wire to detect the wire break that occurs when the theft of the cable begins due to intentional cutting of the cable, and is a cable theft prevention device for detecting the start of the theft due to the wire break.

[0013] The wire break detection device may have the wire break detection conductive wires arranged at equal intervals, at unequal intervals, or at equal intervals in some parts and at unequal intervals in other parts.

[0014] The wire break detection device may have a second operating circuit that activates monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and / or security equipment mounted on the drone in response to the wire break signal.

[0015] This wire break detection device may have a third operating circuit that activates a warning device in response to the wire break signal.

[0016] Preferably, this wire break detection device has a determination circuit that distinguishes between wire breaks caused by malfunctions or electrical accidents, wire breaks caused by pests, wire breaks associated with the start of theft due to the intentional cutting of the cable, and wire breaks during maintenance work.

[0017] In this wire break detection device, for example, the monitoring device is a photographic device which is a camera or a night scope, or has the photographic device and a recording device for the captured images, the warning device has at least one selected from an alarm device, a warning speaker, a warning lighting device, and a tracking device, and the security device has at least one launching device selected from a flare launcher and a signal gun launcher; and / or a counterattack device selected from a firecracker ignition and dropping device, a jamming net throwing device, a colored security ball launcher, a tear gas spraying device, and a bollard placement device.

[0018] This wire break detection device may be one of the following, installed on the ground: a camera, a camera and image recording device, a monitoring device, an alarm device, a warning speaker, a warning lighting device, a tracking device, a street light extinguisher, and a wire break signal transmitting / receiving terminal.

[0019] In this wire break detection device, it is preferable that a wire break location identification circuit is connected to the detection circuit.

[0020] In this wire break detection device, it is preferable that the wire break signal consists of a wire break notification signal and a wire break location identification signal indicating the location of the wire break.

[0021] This disconnection detection device is, for example, for communicating the disconnection part identification signal as digital data of the position information of the disconnection part, and is any information signal selected from the positioning satellite system position information (GNSS position information: for example, GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BeiDou) indicating the cable or both ends of the cable, and the fixed point information on the map of the installation area of the cable.

[0022] This disconnection detection device may have a flight guidance circuit that is connected to the first operation circuit by wire or wirelessly and communicates the flight guidance instruction to the drone by wire or wirelessly, and is mounted on the drone to make the drone fly independently, or is mounted on the server to automatically control the drone according to an instruction signal from the server of the monitoring facility, or is mounted on a controller for remotely operating the drone.

[0023] This disconnection detection device is, for example, such that the flight guidance circuit communicates the flight guidance instruction to the drone based on any information signal selected from the positioning satellite system position information indicating the cable or both ends of the cable, the fixed point information on the map of the installation area of the cable; or the information signal of the real-time three-dimensional position data obtained by locking on to a thief, a suspicious person, and / or a suspicious vehicle.

[0024] This disconnection detection device is, for example, such that the second operation circuit is mounted on the drone to make the drone fly independently, or is mounted on the server of the monitoring facility to automatically control the drone, or is mounted on a controller for remotely operating the drone.

[0025] This disconnection detection device preferably has a communication circuit that wirelessly or wiredly transmits from the notification circuit to the first operation circuit, and / or a communication circuit that wirelessly or wiredly transmits indirectly or directly from the first operation circuit to the drone.

[0026] This wire break detection device may have a communication circuit that transmits wirelessly or via wire from the first operating circuit to the drone via the flight guidance circuit, between the first operating circuit and the flight guidance circuit, and / or between the flight guidance circuit and the drone.

[0027] This disconnection detection device may also have a communication circuit that transmits wirelessly or via wire from the notification circuit to the second operating circuit, and / or a communication circuit that transmits wirelessly or via wire from the second operating circuit to the monitoring equipment, the warning equipment, and / or the security equipment.

[0028] This wire break detection device may include: an artificial intelligence pattern storage unit that stores in artificial intelligence a group of suspicious patterns representing suspicious movements selected from at least one of a thief or suspicious person and a suspicious vehicle; a group of pest animal patterns representing the movements of pest animals; a group of legitimate patterns selected from a group of patterns representing the movements and faces of legitimate workers and a group of patterns representing license plates of registered vehicles; a data communication circuit that transmits to the artificial intelligence at least one of the imaging data from a monitoring device mounted on the drone and imaging data from a camera installed on the ground regarding the area around the wire break; an imaging data storage unit of the artificial intelligence that stores the imaging data; a comparison circuit of the artificial intelligence that compares the imaging data with the suspicious pattern group, the pest animal pattern group and the legitimate pattern group; and a judgment recognition circuit that determines whether the movement of the imaging data is the same as or similar to the imaging data with the suspicious pattern group, the pest animal pattern group and the legitimate pattern group.

[0029] Preferably, this wire break detection device has an alarm generation circuit that, when the judgment recognition circuit determines that the image data and the suspicious pattern group are identical or similar, or when the image data and the suspicious pattern group, the pest pattern group, and the legitimate pattern group are not identical or similar, recognizes them as thieves or suspicious persons and / or suspicious vehicles, displays theft / suspicious information on a monitor, and issues an alarm.

[0030] This wire break detection device may have a first feedback circuit that provides feedback to the first operating circuit when the judgment recognition circuit recognizes a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle, and the feedback may cause the first operating circuit to operate so that the drone tracks the thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the wire break.

[0031] The wire break detection device may have a second feedback circuit that, when the judgment recognition circuit recognizes a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle, feeds back to a second operating circuit that activates monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment mounted on the drone, and the feedback may cause the second operating circuit to continue operating to monitor, warn and / or retaliate against the thief or suspicious person and / or suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the wire break using the monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment.

[0032] This disconnection detection device may also have a stop circuit connected to the first operating circuit by wire or wirelessly, which instructs the drone to stop or pause its operation when a third party other than a thief or suspicious person appears.

[0033] Preferably, in this wire break detection device, each of the wire break detection conductive wires is connected to a detection circuit, each of the detection circuits is connected to a detection circuit recognition circuit, and each of the detection circuit recognition circuits is connected to a wire break location identification circuit.

[0034] The cable break detection device may have flight restriction means to ensure that the drone flies only within the area where the cable is installed.

[0035] This cable break detection device is, for example, such that the flight restriction means is a fence, net, or mesh surrounding the cable installation area, a flight restriction circuit that indicates the cable installation area using positioning satellite system location information or map information of the cable installation area, or at least one of the following selected from fiber, rope, wire, wire reel, rubber tube, and chain connected to the drone.

[0036] In this wire break detection device, the multiple wire break detection conductive wires may be connected to individual detection circuits or to a single detection circuit collectively.

[0037] This wire break detection device may have a delay circuit connected to the first operating circuit to prevent malfunction.

[0038] This wire break detection device may have a stop circuit connected to the first operating circuit, an interruption circuit connected to the second operating circuit, and / or a stop circuit connected to the third operating circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] The wire break detection device of the present invention detects wire breaks and is particularly useful as a cable theft prevention device. It detects signs of theft before the core wires of the cable are cut, and by flying a drone before the theft occurs, or using monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and / or security equipment as needed, it is possible to put psychological pressure on the thief while it takes time to cut the core wires, causing them to abandon the theft, or to dispatch security guards to apprehend the thief or suspicious person.

[0040] This cable break detection device, as a cable theft prevention device, can prevent cable theft and minimize damage to a recoverable level by having at least a drone to mobilize and take various security measures against thieves and suspicious individuals.

[0041] This cable break detection device can be retroactively installed on existing cables and has a simple configuration, allowing for easy installation while continuing to use current cable installation methods.

[0042] This cable break detection device can be selectively, inexpensively, and efficiently installed in locations particularly likely to be cut during cable theft, making it highly cost-effective.

[0043] This cable break detection device can reliably detect signs of theft and does not cause false alarms or malfunctions in other devices, making it an effective cable theft prevention device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing a wire break detection conductive wire and its connection point, which form part of a wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied, and the cable to be protected from theft when used as a cable theft prevention device. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of one of the most basic embodiments of a wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment in which the wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied is used as a cable theft prevention device. [Figure 4] This is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of yet another embodiment in which the wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied is used as a cable theft prevention device. [Figure 5] This is a circuit diagram of another embodiment in which the wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied is used as a cable theft prevention device. [Figure 6] This is a part of a circuit diagram of another embodiment in which the wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied is used as a cable theft prevention device. [Figure 7-1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration for identifying and determining thieves, suspicious individuals, and suspicious vehicles when the wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied is used as a cable theft prevention device. [Figure 7-2]This is a flowchart illustrating how to identify and determine thieves, suspicious individuals, and suspicious vehicles when using a cable break detection device to which the present invention applies as a cable theft prevention device. [Figure 8] This is a schematic perspective view showing another wire break detection conductive wire (theft prediction detection conductive wire) and its connection point, which form part of the wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied, as well as the cable to be protected from theft. [Figure 9] This is a schematic perspective view showing another wire break detection conductive wire (theft prediction detection conductive wire) and its connection point, which form part of the wire break detection device to which the present invention is applied, as well as the cable to be protected from theft. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of a solar power plant. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] The following describes in detail embodiments for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0046] One aspect of the wire break detection device of the present invention will first be described with reference to Figure 1, a schematic perspective view showing a wire break detection conductive wire and its connection point, as well as the main cable to which it is attached, and Figure 2, a block diagram showing the simplest configuration thereof.

[0047] The wire break detection device 10 can be described as an example of use in a solar power plant (see Figure 10). As shown in Figure 1, multiple electric wires 3, each consisting of a metal core wire 2a made of twisted metal wires such as copper wires covered with an insulating layer 2b, are bundled together with a retaining tape 4 or retaining thread (not shown) and covered with a sheath 5. The device is used to prevent theft by detecting the breakage of a wire break detection conductive wire, which is cut or severed before the metal core wire 2a of the cable 1 is cut.

[0048] One or more wire break detection conductive wires 6A (consisting of 6a, 6a', 6a'', etc.; the same applies hereinafter) are made of enameled wire covered with an insulator and are arranged along the longitudinal direction of cable 1, or around cable 1 in a ring or spiral shape. In addition, one or more wire break detection conductive wires 6B, 6C, 6D, etc. are similarly provided on other cables.

[0049] The first specific configuration of the wire break detection device 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, includes a power supply 20 for driving the wire break detection device 10 itself, a wire break detection conductive wire 6A (6a·6a'·6a”···) attached parallel to the cable 1 near both exposed ends of the cable 1, extending to a range where unexpected failure, electrical accident-induced breakage, or theft-induced breakage of the cable 1 should be detected, and detecting a wire break around the terminals of the cable 1 prior to the start of the cable 1 itself breaking, and a wire break detection conductive wire 6A (6a·6a'·6a”···) connected to the power supply 20. The device comprises a detection circuit 30a connected to one end 6a1, 6a'1, 6a”1, etc. of the first security device 90 consisting of a drone 91a1, a first end 6a2, 6a'2, 6a”2, etc., which is connected to one end 6a1, 6a'1, 6a”1, etc., and which detects a break in the wire based on a change in voltage or current; a notification circuit 40 connected to the detection circuit 30a which transmits a break signal by wire or wireless means based on the detection of a break in the wire by the detection circuit 30a, and a first operation circuit 60 which operates the drone 91a1 which flies from a standby position to the area above the break in the wire in response to the break signal from the notification circuit 40.

[0050] Another realistic and concrete embodiment of the cable break detection device 10 is a cable theft prevention device 10, which is designed to prevent thieves from stealing cables. The cable theft prevention device 10 works by detecting that when a cable is cut, the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, etc. (hereinafter, the cable break detection wires in the cable theft prevention device 10 will be referred to as the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, etc.) are cut first, thus preventing the cable from being cut and thus helping to prevent theft.

[0051] The cable anti-theft device 10 will be described in detail below. As shown in Figure 3, the cable anti-theft device 10 consists of a power supply 20 for driving the cable anti-theft device 10 itself, and the anti-theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. which are attached parallel to the cable 1 near the exposed part of the cable 1, extending to the range where theft-predicting wire breakage should be detected, and are folded back to detect theft-predicting wire breakage around the terminal of the cable 1 prior to the start of the theft of the cable 1 itself being cut, and one end of the anti-theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. connected to the power supply 20. The device includes detection circuits 30a, 30b, and 30c, respectively, which are connected to the other end sides 6a2, 6b2, and 6c2 of side 6a1, 6b1, and respectively, and which detect pre-theft wire breaks based on changes in voltage or current; a wire break location identification circuit 37, which is connected to the detection circuits 30a, 30b, and 30c, and identifies which detection circuit 30a, 30b, or 30c detected the pre-theft wire break; and a notification circuit 40, which emits a wire break signal and a wire break location identification signal based on the detection of a pre-theft wire break and the identification of the wire break location by the wire break location identification circuit 37.

[0052] The notification circuit 40 is connected to the first operating circuit 60, the second operating circuit 63, and, if necessary, the third operating circuit 65.

[0053] The first operating circuit 60 is for operating the drone 91a1, which flies from a standby position to the area above the disconnection, in response to a disconnection signal from the notification circuit 40. It instructs the flight guidance circuit 61 to fly the drone 91a1. The drone 91a1 is equipped with monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment 91b1, which together constitute the first security equipment 90.

[0054] The second operating circuit 63 is for instructing the monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment 91b1 to operate in response to a disconnection signal from the notification circuit 40.

[0055] The third operating circuit 65 is for instructing the second security device 93, which is installed on the ground and is at least one of the following: a monitoring device, a warning speaker, a warning lighting device 92b, an alarm device 92c, a disconnection signal receiving terminal 92d, a camera, a recording device, a tracking device, and a street light extinguisher, to operate in response to a disconnection signal from the notification circuit 40.

[0056] A third, more realistic and specific embodiment of the cable break detection device 10 is a cable theft prevention device 10 in which the cable break signal consists of a cable break notification signal and a cable break location identification signal indicating the location of the break.

[0057] Referring to Figure 4, the anti-theft device 10 for this cable will be described in detail as follows: a power supply 20 for driving the anti-theft device 10 itself; a time counter 24 connected to the power supply 20 as needed and switched ON / OFF according to time zones; the anti-theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D... which run parallel to the cable 1 near the exposed part of the cable 1, extend to the range where theft-predicting wire breakage should be detected, and are folded back to detect theft-predicting wire breakage around the terminals of the cable 1 prior to the start of the cable 1 itself being cut when the theft begins; and the other end 6a2, 6b2, 6c2, 6d2... for each end 6a1, 6b1, 6c1, 6d1... of the anti-theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D... connected to the power supply 20. The system includes detection circuits 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, etc., each connected to the system, which detect pre-theft wire breaks based on changes in voltage or current; wire break location recognition circuits 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, etc., connected to the detection circuits 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, etc., which recognize which detection circuit 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, etc. detected a pre-theft wire break; wire break location identification circuit 37, connected to the wire break location recognition circuits 36a, 36b, 36c, etc., which identify which detection circuit 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, etc. detected a pre-theft wire break; and a notification circuit 40, which emits a wire break signal and a wire break location identification signal based on the detection of a pre-theft wire break and the identification of the wire break location by the wire break location identification circuit 37.

[0058] A delay circuit 50 may be connected to the notification circuit 40 as needed to prevent malfunctions. The notification circuit 40 is connected to the first operating circuit 60, the second operating circuit 63, and the third operating circuit 65 via wired or wireless communication circuits 62a, 64a, and 66a as needed, with or without the delay circuit 50.

[0059] The notification circuit 40 is connected to the first operating circuit 60 via a delay circuit 50 and a wired or wireless communication circuit 62a as needed. The first operating circuit 60 responds to a disconnection signal from the notification circuit 40, specifically, if the disconnection signal is a disconnection notification signal and a disconnection location identification signal indicating the location of the disconnection, it activates drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. that fly from a standby position to the location of the disconnection among the numerous theft prediction conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. that have been disconnected, based on the disconnection location identification signal. The first operating circuit 60 is connected to the flight guidance circuit 61 via a wired or wireless communication circuit 62a' as needed. The flight guidance circuit 61 operates by instructing the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. to fly via the wireless communication circuit 62a'' as needed. The flight guidance circuit 61 is connected to the wired or wireless communication circuit 62a'' as needed, and through it it gives instructions to the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. to guide their flight. The drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., may be equipped with at least one or all of them as needed, for example, drone 91a3 may be equipped with surveillance equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment 91b3, which together constitute the first security equipment 90.

[0060] The notification circuit 40 is connected to a second operating circuit 63 via a delay circuit 50 and a wired or wireless communication circuit 64a as needed. The second operating circuit is connected to monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment 91b3 via a communication circuit 64a' as needed. The second operating circuit 63 is for instructing the monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment 91b3 to operate via a wired or wireless (preferably wireless) communication circuit 64a' as needed, in response to a disconnection signal from the notification circuit 40.

[0061] The notification circuit 40 is connected to a delay circuit 50 and a wired or wireless communication circuit 66a as needed, and through them, to a third operating circuit 65. The third operating circuit 65 is connected to a wired or wireless, preferably wireless, communication circuit 66a' as needed, and through them, to a second security device 93 installed on the ground, which is at least one of the following: monitoring equipment, warning speakers, warning lighting equipment 92b, alarm equipment 92c, disconnection signal receiving terminal 92d, camera equipment, recording equipment, tracking equipment, and street light extinguisher. The third operating circuit 65 is for instructing the second security device 93, which is installed on the ground, to operate in response to a disconnection signal from the notification circuit 40.

[0062] Furthermore, the system may include, if necessary, a stop circuit 70 connected to the first operating circuit 60 to stop the operation of the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. after detecting signs of theft and avoiding a theft crisis, and / or, if necessary, a stop circuit 71 connected to the second operating circuit 63 to interrupt the operation of one security device 90 after detecting signs of theft and avoiding a theft crisis, and / or, if necessary, a stop circuit 72 connected to the third operating circuit 65 to stop the operation of all or any of the second security devices 93 after detecting signs of theft and avoiding a theft crisis.

[0063] Although the first wire break detection device 10 and the cable theft prevention device 10, which is one of the wire break detection devices of the second and third embodiments, have been described, components that are not common to each other may be incorporated into any of them, and each figure is shown as a representative embodiment, not all combinations have been explained. The following describes in detail each component of the first to third embodiments.

[0064] These wire break detection devices 10 can detect when the wire break detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. are broken or when the cable 1 is cut due to a malfunction or electrical accident. Alternatively, the cable theft prevention device 10 can detect theft before it is stolen, because when a thief tries to steal the cable 1, the theft prediction detection conductive wires (wire break detection conductive wires) 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. located on the outer circumference of the cable are cut first before the thief cuts the metal core wire 2a inside the cable 1. Therefore, each configuration will be explained in detail using the cable theft prevention device 10 using the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. as an example.

[0065] The theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. are, for example, enameled wires. Enameled wires are made by baking an insulating varnish coating of a polymer compound, approximately 0.003 to 0.035 mm thick, onto soft copper or alumina wire with a diameter of 0.025 to 3.2 mm. Examples of polymer compounds include polyvinyl formal, polyurethane, polyamide-imide, polyester, and polyamide. If the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. are thinner than this range, they may malfunction due to accidental cutting. If they are thicker than this range, thieves may recognize the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc., and cut only cable 1 while avoiding this section, thus preventing the detection of theft-predicted wire breakage.

[0066] The theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. may be the same color or a similar color as the insulating layer 2b and / or sheath 5 covering the metal core wire 2a in the electric wire 3, so that thieves do not cut the cable 1 while avoiding the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. Alternatively, they may be deliberately made a conspicuous color different from the insulating layer 2b and / or sheath 5 so that thieves will recognize that the cable anti-theft device 10 is in operation and give up the theft.

[0067] Each of the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D... is individually connected to the detection circuits 30a, 30b, 30c..., and the detection circuits 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d... are connected to the disconnection location identification circuit 37, or the detection circuits 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d... are connected to the disconnection location identification circuit 37 via the disconnection location recognition circuits 36a, 36b, 36c, 30d..., thereby enabling the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6... When at least one of C, 6D, etc. is intentionally cut, the detection circuits 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, etc. detect that the current or voltage flowing through the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, etc. has changed, and the disconnection location identification circuit 37 identifies which theft prediction detection conductive wire 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, etc. has been disconnected, thereby making it possible to detect which cable and at which end the cable disconnection is about to begin.

[0068] More specifically, the cable anti-theft device 10 of the third embodiment shown in Figure 4 is configured with the circuit shown in Figure 5. Note that Figure 5 also shows configurations not shown in Figure 4, in accordance with the actual product.

[0069] A power supply 20, for example, a 100V commercial AC power supply, is used as the power source for the cable anti-theft device 10. A power meter 21 and a fuse 22 are connected to the power supply 20. Furthermore, no-fuse breakers (NFBs) 23a and 23b are connected to the power supply 20, and a time meter 24 is connected to which ON / OFF control is performed to stop the operation of the anti-theft device 10 only when necessary, such as when a supervisor or worker is present. This time meter is connected to a fuse 25, a power meter 26, and a reset circuit 27 as needed.

[0070] From the power supply 20, one end side 6 of the burglary prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E,... a1 ·6 b1 ·6 c1 ·6 d1 ·6 e1 ··· branches. The other end side 6 of each of the burglary prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C,... a2 ·6 b2 ·6 c2 ·6 d2 ·6 e2 ··· is connected to the detection circuits (X1) 30a, (X2) 30b, (X3) 30c, (X4) 30d, (X5) 30e,...

[0071] The burglary prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E,... are attached, for example, as the cable 1 near both ends of the main cable 106 (see FIG. 10). The main cable 106, which is this cable 1, bundles a plurality of electric wires 3 in which a plurality of metal wires 2a are twisted and covered with an insulating layer 2b with a suppression tape 4 and covered with a sheath 5 (see FIG. 1). Except for the vicinity of the ends, it is buried underground, buried in a trench, or protected by a tube, and is connected to the photovoltaic power collection board in the terminal box 105 via the cable terminal 106a, and is also connected to the DC collection board in the collection box 107 via the cable terminal 106b (see FIG. 10). Since the terminal box 105 and the collection box 107 are installed on the ground (not shown), the vicinity of these cable terminals 106a and 106b comes out on the ground for connection. While the sheath 5 is peeled off and the electric wire 3 including the insulating layer 2b of the metal core wire 2a is exposed, the metal core wire 2a is connected to these collection boards in the terminal box 105 and the collection box 107. The exposed electric wire 3 portion of such a cable 106 is a location where it is easy for a thief to cut.

[0072] Therefore, the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. are attached along the longitudinal direction of the cable to the portion of the insulating layer 2b on the metal core wire 2a in the exposed wire 3 of the main cable 106 as such a cable 1 (see Figure 1). The theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. may be attached to the insulating layer 2b on the metal core wire 2a and installed within the retaining tape 4, retaining thread, or sheath 5, or they may be attached on the retaining tape 4, on the retaining thread, or on the sheath 5, and may be used as appropriate. For example, among the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc., the theft detection conductive wire 6A is attached along the longitudinal direction of the cable to the exposed portion of the insulating layer 2b on the metal core wire 2a in the wire 3. The theft-predicting conductive wire 6A is attached to the vicinity of cable terminals 106a and 106b (see Figure 6), which is the area where a thief is likely to cut the cable, preferably the area where theft-predicting breakage should be detected. For example, it extends for several meters to 10 meters from the cable terminals 106a and 106b to the point where the cable begins to be buried underground, in a trench, or protected by a tube, or, if necessary, along the entire length of cable 1. The theft-predicting conductive wires 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. are similarly attached to the exposed portion of the insulating layer 2b on the metal core wire 2a in the electric wire 3.

[0073] The detection circuits (X1)30a, (X2)30b, (X3)30c, (X4)30d, (X5)30e... are connected in parallel, and further down the line, the first switch circuits (X1)32a, (X2)32b, (X3)32c, (X4)32d, (X5)32e... are connected in series when they are ON. The detection circuits (X1)30a, (X2)30b, (X3)30c, (X4)30d, (X5)30e... and the first switch circuits (X1)32a, (X2)32b, (X3)32c, (X4)32d, (X5)32e... are connected by a relay circuit (not shown). If any of the detection circuits (X1)30a, (X2)30b, (X3)30c, (X4)30d, (X5)30e, etc. detect a break in the theft prediction conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc., a relay circuit (not shown) that recognizes this as a break signal will turn OFF the corresponding first switch circuits (X1)32a, (X2)32b, (X3)32c, (X4)32d, (X5)32e, etc. Correspondingly, if the current is interrupted, the notification circuit (X6)40a will activate. The notification circuit (X6)40a is connected by a relay circuit (not shown) to turn ON another switch circuit (X6)41a when it detects a theft prediction break.

[0074] At the end of the detection circuits (X1)30a, (X2)30b, (X3)30c, (X4)30d, (X5)30e, the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e are connected in parallel with the first switch circuits (X1)32a, (X2)32b, (X3)32c, (X4)32d, (X5)32e when they are OFF. The first switch circuits (X1)32a, (X2)32b, (X3)32c, (X4)32d, (X5)32e... are connected to the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e... via relay circuits or self-holding circuits (not shown) that work in conjunction with each other so that when the first switch circuits (X1)32a, (X2)32b, (X3)32c, (X4)32d, (X5)32e... are turned OFF, the corresponding second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e... are turned ON.

[0075] When any of the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e... are turned ON, that is, when current flows through at least one of the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e..., the open circuit recognition circuits (Y1) 36a, (Y2) 36b, (Y3) 36c, (Y4) 36d, (Y5) 36e... are turned ON, that is, the theft prediction conductivity is determined. The system recognizes and detects whether wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. are broken, and the broken wire identification circuit 37 detects which of the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc. has turned ON and energized. As described later, the system can then notify the system via wired or wireless means of which second switch circuit 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc. has turned ON, indicating the broken wire identification signal.

[0076] The notification circuit (X7) 40b is activated in response to any of the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc. being turned ON and power being supplied. The notification circuit (X7) 40b is connected by a relay circuit (not shown) to turn ON another switch circuit (X7) 41b when it detects a premonitory wire break that may indicate theft.

[0077] The diagram shows an example where the first switch circuit (X1)32a·(X2)32b·(X3)32c·(X4)32d·(X5)32e·· and the second switch circuit 34a·34b·34c·34d·34e·· are in parallel. The first switch circuit (X1)32a·(X2)32b·(X3)32c·(X4)32d·(X5)32e·· is used, but it is also possible to not use either the first switch circuit (X1)32a·(X2)32b·(X3)32c·(X4)32d·(X5)32e·· or the second switch circuit 34a·34b·34c·34d·34e··.

[0078] Furthermore, if necessary, a notification circuit (X6) 40a that notifies the next party of a suspected theft-inducing disconnection when at least one of the first switch circuits (X1) 32a, (X2) 32b, (X3) 32c, (X4) 32d, (X5) 32e, etc. turns OFF, and a notification circuit (X7) 40b that notifies the next party of a suspected theft-inducing disconnection when at least one of the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc. turns ON, may be connected to a notification circuit 40c via a relay circuit. At this time, depending on whether the notification circuit (X6) 40a or the notification circuit (X7) 40b operates, the notification circuit (X8) 40c is connected by a relay circuit (not shown) to turn on another switch circuit (X8) 41c when it detects a premonitory wire break. Therefore, even if the switch circuit (X7) 41b does not operate for some reason and no current flows, the switch circuit (X8) 41c will allow current to flow.

[0079] Even if these notification circuits (X6) 40a, (X7) 40b, and (X8) 40c are activated, a delay circuit (T1) 50a is provided in parallel with the first switch circuits (X1) 32a, (X2) 32b, (X3) 32c, (X4) 32d, (X5) 32e, etc. and the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc., as needed, to prevent malfunctions due to voltage fluctuations, momentary voltage dips, momentary interruptions, or momentary disconnections, rather than relying on the detection of breaks in the theft prediction conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. The delay circuit (T1) 50a may be designed so that if the notification circuit (X6) 40a continues to operate for a predetermined time, for example 1 to 60 seconds after it starts operating, another switch circuit (T1) 51a is turned ON via a relay circuit.

[0080] The first operating circuit 60 is provided in parallel with the notification circuits (X6) 40a and (X7) 40b, the first switch circuits (X1) 32a, (X2) 32b, (X3) 32c, (X4) 32d, (X5) 32e, etc. and the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc., and the switch circuits (T1) 51a, (X6) 41a, and (X7) 41b, and is notified by the disconnection location identification circuit 37 which second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc. have been turned ON, from the notification circuit (X7) 40b, or via a wired or communication circuit 62a (see Figure 4) or a wired or wireless flicker relay (FR) circuit (not shown in Figure 5) which also serves as the communication circuit 62a. The first operating circuit 60 is a theoretical circuit that activates the communication circuit 62a' when it detects both that power has been supplied to the first operating circuit 60 and that the disconnection location identification circuit 37 has notified which of the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc. has been turned ON.

[0081] On the other hand, a second operating circuit 63 is provided in parallel with the notification circuits (X6) 40a and (X7) 40b, the first switch circuits (X1) 32a, (X2) 32b, (X3) 32c, (X4) 32d, (X5) 32e, etc. and the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc., and the switch circuits (T1) 51a, (X6) 41a, and (X7) 41b, and further along, the disconnection location identification circuit 37 notifies the notification circuit (X7) 40b, or via a wired or communication circuit 64a (see Figure 4) or a wired or wireless flicker relay (FR) circuit (not shown in Figure 5) that also serves as the communication circuit 64a, of which second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc. have been turned ON. The second operating circuit 63 is a theoretical circuit that activates the communication circuit 64a' when it detects both that power has been supplied to the second operating circuit 63 and that the disconnection location identification circuit 37 has notified which of the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc. has been turned ON.

[0082] Furthermore, the disconnection location identification circuit 37 may also function as a flicker relay (FR) circuit, as well as a communication circuit 62a and a first operating circuit (see Figure 4), and may be a theoretical circuit that operates the communication circuit 62a', the flight guidance circuit 61, and the communication circuit 64a' (not shown in Figure 5).

[0083] As a specific example, if the first operating circuit 60 and the second operating circuit 63 are installed near the cables of a solar power plant, for example, the disconnection signal and the disconnection location identification signal may be received directly by wired communication to the first operating circuit 60 and / or the second operating circuit 63, or, if necessary, by wired communication or wireless communication via wired or wireless communication circuits 62a and / or communication circuit 64a (see Figure 4), and the notification circuit 40 and communication circuit 62a (see Figure 4) may also serve the same purpose.

[0084] The first operating circuit 60 communicates wirelessly via the communication circuit 62a' to the flight guidance circuits 61 of the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., and is connected so that the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. can be driven. The first operating circuit 60 is located in a monitoring facility or equipment 95, such as a control room, management room, or control room located within or away from the solar power plant, and notifies the flight guidance circuit 61 of the receipt of a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal directly via wired communication, or, if necessary, via wireless communication through a communication circuit 62a'. Figure 5 shows an example where the flight guidance circuit 61 is directly integrated into the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. (see Figure 4) without using the communication circuit 62a'' (see Figure 4).

[0085] The drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., take off from their standby positions and are driven by automatic piloting based on instruction signals to fly towards the area above the disconnection, following instructions from the first operating circuit 60 and the guidance of their own implemented flight guidance circuits 61.

[0086] The second operating circuit 63 is, for example, also located in the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95, and is notified directly via wired communication through the communication circuit 64 as needed when it has received a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal, or drives the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, or security equipment 91b3 (see Figure 4) via wired or wireless communication through the communication circuit 64a' as needed.

[0087] Figure 5 shows an example in which the disconnection location identification circuit 37, notification circuit (X7) 40b, first operating circuit 60, communication circuit 62a', second operating circuit 63, and communication circuit 64a' are arranged within a monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95, but they may also be installed near cable 1 of a solar power plant.

[0088] On the other hand, a third operating circuit 65, which is a flicker relay (FR) circuit, is provided in parallel with the notification circuits (X6) 40a and (X7) 40b, the first switch circuits (X1) 32a, (X2) 32b, (X3) 32c, (X4) 32d, (X5) 32e, etc., and the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc., and switch circuits (X6) 41a and (X7) 41b. The third operating circuit 65 is connected to security equipment 93 such as warning lighting equipment 92b and alarm equipment 92c so that current flows and the circuit operates when another switch circuit (X6) 41a or (X7) 41b and another switch circuit (T1) 51a are turned ON.

[0089] Alarm device 92c is, for example, a speaker that emits a warning sound or warning message to a thief. Warning lighting device 92b is, for example, a searchlight that illuminates the vicinity of the theft prediction conductive wires 66A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. that a thief is attempting to steal, a tracking light that illuminates a target, such as a moving thief, while tracking it with a camera, a rotating light, or a patrol light (registered trademark). Security device 93 may be a disconnection signal transmitting / receiving terminal 92d that notifies the security company, management company, owner company, or police of the commercial solar power plant using cable 1, or it may be a mobile phone or tablet (not shown) held by a monitor or security guard. Security device 93 may be a recording device equipped with a camera, such as a night vision camera, that can record not only during the day but also at night. Security device 93 may be a light switch that turns off streetlights that illuminate the area around where cable 1 is installed at night, making it difficult for thieves to act in the dark.

[0090] Figure 5 shows an example in which the flight guidance circuit 61 is mounted on drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., and the first actuation circuit 60 and the second actuation circuit 63 are installed in a monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95, but is not limited to this. To explain the differences from another embodiment, for example, Figure 5, as shown in the circuit diagram of Figure 6(a), the disconnection location identification circuit 37 may be separate, and may also serve as a flicker relay (FR) circuit and a notification circuit (X6) 40a, as well as a communication circuit 62a (see Figure 4) provided as needed, and is connected to the first operating circuit 60 by wire or wireless, and the first operating circuit 60 is connected to the flight guidance circuit 61 by wire or wireless via the communication circuit 62a', and the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. are driven via the communication circuit 62a''. The first operating circuit 60 is located, for example, in a monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95, and notifies the flight guidance circuit 61 of the receipt of a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal directly via wired communication, or, if necessary, via wireless communication through a communication circuit 62a'. The drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., are driven by automatic piloting based on instruction signals to fly towards the area above the disconnected wire, guided by the flight guidance circuit 61 and communicated by the communication circuit 62a'', in accordance with instructions from the first operating circuit 60.

[0091] On the other hand, the disconnection location identification circuit 37 may also serve as a separate flicker relay (FR) circuit and a notification circuit (X6) 40a as needed, and is connected to the communication circuit 64a (see Figure 4) by wire or wirelessly. The communication circuit 64a is wirelessly connected to a second operating circuit 63 mounted on the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. The second operating circuit 63 is connected by wire or wirelessly directly or, if necessary, via the communication circuit 64a' (see Figure 4) to the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, security equipment 91b (for example, 91b3). The second operating circuit 63 is located in, for example, the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., and is notified by the communication circuit 64a via wired or wireless communication that it has received a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal, and communicates with the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, security equipment 91b via wireless communication through the communication circuit 64a' as needed to drive it. In this case, for example, the disconnection location identification circuit 37, the first operating circuit 60, the communication circuit 62a', the flight guidance circuit 61, the communication circuit 62a'', and the communication circuit 64a are arranged in the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95.

[0092] To explain another aspect, for example, the differences from Figure 5, the first usage of the third-3 aspect shown in the circuit diagram of Figure 6(b) is as follows: The disconnection location identification circuit 37 also functions as a flicker relay (FR) circuit and relays to the communication circuit 62a. Controllers 96 for the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. are installed in the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95. The controller 96 is equipped with a first operating circuit 60, a communication circuit 62a' (see Figure 4) as needed, a flight guidance circuit 61, and a communication circuit 62a''. The monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 also has a monitor and / or alarm that emits a screen and / or sound / voice alert when the communication circuit 62a communicates that the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. have been disconnected. The communication circuit 62a'' emits a screen and / or sound / voice alert on the monitor and / or alarm. The circuit is connected, the alarm circuit is connected to the monitor alarm (not shown in Figures 4 and 5), and the communication circuit 62a'' is connected to the first operating circuit 60 via an automatic / manual switch (not shown in Figures 4 and 5). The first operating circuit 60 is connected to the flight guidance circuit 61 via the communication circuit 62a', either wired or wirelessly as needed, and is connected via the communication circuit 62a'' to drive external drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. The first operating circuit 60 is located, for example, inside the controller 95. When the communication circuit 62a communicates to the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 that the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. have been disconnected, the monitor and / or alarm will display a notification on the screen and / or by sound / voice. At the same time, if the automatic / manual switch, which is normally set to automatic, is left as is, the aircraft will take off from its standby position and be driven by automatic control by the controller 96 based on the instruction signal to fly to the area above the disconnection, following instructions from the first operating circuit 60. If necessary, the aircraft will be guided by the flight guidance circuit 61 via the wired or wireless communication circuit 62a' based on the communication from the communication circuit 62a''.

[0093] On the other hand, the second operating circuit 63 is mounted on the controller 96, for example, together with the communication circuit 64a' (see Figure 4). The second operating circuit 63 is connected to the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and security equipment 91b via the communication circuit 64a'. The second operating circuit 63 is located, for example, within the controller 96, and is notified by the communication circuit 64a via wired or wireless communication that it has received a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal. It then communicates with the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and security equipment 91b via wireless communication through the communication circuit 64a' as needed, and activates the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and security equipment 91b when the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. reach or just before reaching the disconnection location.

[0094] Alternatively, the second of the three modes of use shown in the circuit diagram of Figure 6(b) involves changing the operation of the controller 96 from automatic to manual remote operation, as follows: When the communication circuit 62a communicates to the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 that the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. have been broken, the monitor and / or alarm will display a notification on the screen and / or by sound / voice. At that time, the automatic / manual switch, which is normally set to automatic, is set to manual, and an operator such as a monitor manually operates the controller 96. Following the manual operation instructions from the first operating circuit 60 by operating the controller 96, the flight guidance circuit 61 is guided via the wired or wireless communication circuit 62a' as needed, and the controller 96 is driven by automatic control based on the instruction signal to take off from the standby position and fly quickly to the area above the broken wire. On the other hand, the second operating circuit 63 is located, for example, in the controller 96, and when the automatic / manual switching switch is set to manual, and the monitor and / or alarm signals this to the effect on the screen and / or with sound, an operator such as a supervisor manually operates the controller 96 and, following the manual operation instructions from the second operating circuit 60 by operating the controller 96, communicates wirelessly via the communication circuit 64a' to the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and security equipment 91b, causing the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. to reach or just before reaching the point of disconnection to activate the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and security equipment 91b.

[0095] When manually operated by the controller 96, more specifically, the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 can automatically recognize the breakage of a pre-theft wire and which pre-theft wire has been broken, based on the breakage signal and the breakage location identification signal, or it can be manually recognized by the monitor and / or alarm, which will display this information on the screen and / or by sound / voice. This can be manually or automatically recognized by the automatic or manual operation of the first operating circuit 60. As an example of manual operation, a monitor stationed at the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 during the daytime immediately switches the automatic / manual switch on one or more controllers 96 for the drones to manual, and if necessary, turns on the main switch depending on the model, the monitor acts as the drone pilot, controlling the controller 96 which has a built-in flight guidance circuit 61 via the communication circuit 62a'', and via the first operating circuit 60, causes one or more drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., which are the first security equipment 90 waiting at a standby location such as a standby base within the solar power plant or a base station near the solar power plant, to fly to the area above the broken wire. Furthermore, as the drone pilot, the monitor activates the monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and security equipment 91b via the second operating circuit 63 after arriving above the area above the broken wire or just before arriving.

[0096] Alternatively, when the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. are automatically piloted over the disconnected area when the first operating circuit 60 receives a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal, even without operation by the drone operator. This is done via the communication circuit 62a'' to activate the flight guidance circuit 61, and instead of manually remotely controlling the operator's controller 96 at the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95, the drones are automatically piloted over the disconnected area.

[0097] In another specific embodiment, even if the first operating circuit 60 and the second operating circuit are installed, for example, within a solar power plant, or in a monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 located away from there, and similarly whether or not a controller 96 is used, the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. may be flown to the area above the broken wire (not shown).

[0098] In order to remotely control the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. by manual piloting and fly them over the broken wire section, instead of providing a communication circuit 62a', a controller 96 having a first operating circuit 60, a flight guidance circuit 61, and a second operating circuit 63 as needed may be provided in a monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 located within or away from the solar power plant.

[0099] The flight guidance circuit 61 for flying the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., over the broken wire location may also be the first operating circuit 60.

[0100] The system may also have a configuration in which a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal are communicated wirelessly or via wire from the notification circuit 40 to the first operating circuit 60 via the communication circuit 62a, and / or a configuration in which flight guidance information is communicated wirelessly or via wire from the first operating circuit 60 to the flight guidance circuit 61 via the communication circuit 62a', and / or a configuration in which flight guidance instructions are communicated wirelessly or via wire from the flight guidance circuit 61 to the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. via the communication circuit 62a''.

[0101] Furthermore, the system may also have a configuration in which a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal are communicated wirelessly or via wire from the notification circuit 40 to the second operating circuit 63 via the communication circuit 64a, and / or a configuration in which operation instructions are communicated wirelessly or via wire from the second operating circuit 63 to monitoring equipment, warning equipment, security equipment 91b, etc. via the communication circuit 64a'.

[0102] Alternatively, instead of notification circuits (X6) 40a, notification circuits (X7) 40b, and switch circuit (T1) 51a, each of the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, etc. may be connected to notification circuit (X7) 40b (see Figure 4), and then branch off to directly connect to the first operating circuit 60a, which also serves as the disconnection location identification circuit 37 (not shown).

[0103] Whether the flight guidance circuit 61 is mounted on a drone and the drone flies autonomously under its automatic guidance, whether the flight guidance circuit 61 is mounted in a server of a monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 and the drone is automatically piloted under its automatic guidance, or whether the flight guidance circuit 61 is mounted on a controller and is operated automatically, manually, or remotely, the system can determine which theft-indicating cable has been broken based on the cable break signal and the cable break location identification signal. Therefore, the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 can determine which end of which cable the theft has begun at. For example, the monitoring facility or monitoring equipment 95 displays the cable layout of the solar power plant and the locations of the cable breaks on a map on a monitor.

[0104] At that time, in any case of autonomous flight, autopilot, manual piloting, or remote control, the information used to recognize the destination when flying the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. over the broken section is not particularly limited as long as the broken section identification signal is used to communicate the location information of the broken section as digital data. This information may be location information from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as GPS (Global Positioning System; USA), GALILEO (EU), GLONASS (Russia), QZSS (Japan), or BeiDou (China), or it may be pre-set fixed point information on a map of the cable installation area. Based on this information, the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. can be guided to fly to the location indicated by the location information. In all cases—autonomous flight, autopilot, manual piloting, and remote control—it is preferable to have information that allows the aircraft to fly at the specified altitude over the shortest distance, and to avoid towers and buildings while flying at the specified altitude over the shortest distance.

[0105] When the operator controls the controller 95, they may use the controller 96 to fly over the broken wire location based on the information from the broken wire identification signal while viewing the monitor displaying this information. Alternatively, when autonomous flight and / or autopilot is used, the drones 91a1, 91a, and 91a may be used to fly from the standby position over the broken wire location based on this information. 32 ...to ensure that the aircraft can fly along the shortest route without hindrance, the autopilot controller 96 may have a pre-programmed route to reach a predetermined location, or it may search for a route to reach the predetermined location as needed and instruct the autopilot controller 96 accordingly. The same applies when the aircraft is flying autonomously or automatically.

[0106] While examples have been shown of drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. flying over the cutting site using autonomous flight, autopilot, or manual / remote control, simply flying may not be enough to deter thieves or suspicious individuals from settling in and starting the theft. Therefore, it is preferable to equip the drones with various surveillance, warning, and / or security devices 91b.

[0107] As shown in Figure 7-1, the imaging data from the first security device, a drone 91a, which is a type of surveillance / warning / security device 91b, and the second security device 93, which is an imaging device 92e, may be used to recognize and identify whether the person is a thief or a suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity. For example, the system has a transmitting circuit (not shown in Figure 7-1) connected to the imaging device, which is a surveillance / warning / security device 91b of the drone 91a, and the second security device 93, which is an imaging device 92e, respectively, and a receiving circuit 97a connected to an artificial intelligence (AI) equipped central control unit (CPU) 97c of a server 97 in the surveillance facility or surveillance equipment 95, and a storage device 97b connected to the central control unit 97c. The central control unit 97c is connected to the first operating circuit 60, the second operating circuit 63, and the third operating circuit 65 as needed, so that it can recognize and identify whether the person is a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity, and then provide feedback via a feedback circuit (not shown) to activate them. The central control unit 97c may also be connected to an alert indicator 98a via a display circuit (not shown) and an alarm generator 98b via an alarm generation circuit (not shown) as needed.

[0108] Specifically, the first operating circuit 60, the second operating circuit 63, and / or the third operating circuit 65 are preferably connected to artificial intelligence by wire or wireless to distinguish and recognize whether or not a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle is in the vicinity of the broken wire (Figure 7-1), and are configured to perform actions such as monitoring, warning, crime prevention, tracking, attack, and counterattack by providing feedback through a feedback circuit (not shown) in response to the recognition of a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle. This makes it possible to identify whether or not the broken wire was caused by a wild animal such as a wild boar, monkey, or bear, to identify suspicious movements of a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle, to identify whether or not it was caused by a simple malfunction or electrical accident and not by a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle, or to identify whether or not it was caused by legitimate work (Figure 7-2). The artificial intelligence stores a set of suspicious movement patterns that resemble those of thieves, suspicious persons and / or suspicious vehicles, a set of movement patterns of harmful animals, a set of movement patterns of legitimate workers, a set of facial patterns of legitimate workers, and a set of image patterns of license plates of legitimate workers in the pattern storage section of the memory area of ​​the memory device 97b. Imaging data of thieves, suspicious persons and / or suspicious vehicles from the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. is stored in the imaging data storage section of another memory area of ​​the memory device 97b via the receiving circuit 97a. The artificial intelligence of the central control circuit 97c reads out these pattern sets and image data, compares them with the artificial intelligence of the comparison circuit 97d, and when the judgment recognition circuit 97e makes a judgment and makes a judgment, only when the image data is moving identically or similarly to those pattern sets (hereinafter, both are collectively referred to as "similar" movements), does it recognize the presence of a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle, and a feedback circuit (not shown) can provide feedback to the first operating circuit 60 and / or third operating circuit 65 to perform appropriate actions. The image data may be taken by the imaging equipment 91b of the surveillance equipment 91b of the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., or by the imaging equipment 92e of the second security equipment 93 installed on the ground near both ends of the cable 1, which is easily targeted by thieves.For daytime shooting, visible light data captured under sunlight is sufficient, but for nighttime shooting, it is preferable to use data captured by a night vision camera (night scope) or infrared camera.

[0109] While so-called matching technologies that use security cameras to determine whether the face, gait, or movements of a specific person match or are similar to those of an unspecified number of people are already commercially available and are not unique to this invention, examples include gait matching technology that matches joint movements and facial recognition technology that matches facial features. There is also similar image extraction technology, which is widely used on the internet and elsewhere.

[0110] The algorithm for comparing the image data with a set of suspicious movement patterns, such as those of thieves or suspicious persons and / or suspicious vehicles, as well as patterns of movement of pests, patterns of movement of legitimate workers, patterns of faces of legitimate workers, and image patterns of license plates of legitimate workers, which have been stored in the artificial intelligence, is shown in Figure 7-2. (Step 1) The image data is compared with a group of suspicious movement patterns representing thieves, suspicious persons and / or suspicious vehicles, or a group of movement patterns representing harmful animals, to determine whether there is movement or not. If there is no movement, it is determined to be a "disconnection due to malfunction or accident" as shown in [Result 1], and repairs are initiated afterward. (Step 2) Next, the image data is compared with a set of suspicious movement patterns that resemble those of a thief or suspicious person. If they are similar, it is determined to be a "thief or suspicious person and / or suspicious vehicle" as shown in [Result 2]. If they are not similar (hereinafter referred to as dissimilar), the process proceeds to the next step. (Step 3) Next, the image data is compared with a set of suspicious movement patterns that resemble those of a suspicious vehicle. If they are similar, it is determined to be a "thief or suspicious person and / or suspicious vehicle" as shown in [Result 2]. If they are not similar, proceed to the next step. (Step 4) Next, the image data is compared with a set of movement patterns of the pest. If they are similar, it is determined to be a "disconnection caused by a pest" as shown in [Result 3]. If they are not similar, proceed to the next step. (Step 5) Next, the image data is compared with a set of movement patterns of a legitimate worker. If they are similar, it is determined to be a false alarm, i.e., a "normal operation," i.e., an intentional disconnection due to repair, etc., as shown in [Result 4]. If they are not similar, proceed to the next step. (Step 6) Next, the image data is compared with a set of facial patterns of a legitimate worker. If they are similar, it is determined to be a false alarm, i.e., a "normal operation," i.e., an intentional disconnection due to repairs, etc., as shown in [Result 4]. If they are not similar, proceed to the next step. (Step 7) Next, the image data is compared with a set of license plate patterns of a legitimate vehicle. If they are similar, it is determined to be a false alarm due to "normal operation," i.e., an intentional disconnection caused by repairs, etc., as shown in [Result 4]. If they are not similar, it is determined to be a "thief or suspicious person and / or suspicious vehicle," as shown in [Result 2], and the algorithm terminates. If it determines that [Result 2] has occurred, the central control unit 97c provides feedback via a feedback circuit (not shown) to the first operating circuit 60 and / or the third operating circuit 65 to perform appropriate actions, such as monitoring, warning, and crime prevention (including tracking, counterattack, and attack), or it displays "Alert" on the alert display 98a indicating that a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle is attempting to cut cable 1, or it sounds an alarm on the alarm generator 98b.

[0111] If the comparison algorithm of the image data determines, as in [Result 2], that the subject is a "thief or suspicious person and / or suspicious vehicle," then the flight of the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., the operation of the surveillance equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment 91b, and the operation of second security equipment 93 such as surveillance equipment, warning speakers, warning lighting equipment 92b, alarm equipment 92c, disconnection signal receiving terminal 92d, camera equipment, recording equipment, tracking equipment, and street light extinguisher will continue. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a "disconnection due to malfunction or accident" as in [Result 1], a "disconnection due to pests" as in [Result 3], or "normal operation" as in [Result 4], the stop circuit 70 will stop the flight of the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. in the first operating circuit 60 or return the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. to the standby position in the first operating circuit, the interruption circuit 71 will interrupt the operation of the monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment 91b in the second operating circuit, and the stop circuit 72 will stop the operation of the second security equipment 93 such as the monitoring equipment, warning speaker, warning lighting equipment 92b, alarm equipment 92c, disconnection signal receiving terminal 92d, camera equipment, recording equipment, tracking equipment, and street light extinguisher.

[0112] Drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. may be equipped with at least one of the following security devices: a cable break signal transmission / reception terminal that notifies the security company, management company, owner company, or police of a commercial solar power plant using cable 1; surveillance equipment, night scopes, or tracking equipment that locks onto and tracks thieves or suspicious persons near the cable break and / or any suspicious vehicles in the vicinity; alarm equipment or warning speakers that emit warning sounds or warning messages; warning lighting equipment such as searchlights that continuously illuminate the vicinity of the theft prediction conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc. that thieves or suspicious persons are attempting to steal, or that tracks them while recording them; and camera or recording equipment that tracks the movements of thieves or suspicious persons to obtain evidence of theft. These are passive security devices, but they are intended to exert psychological pressure on thieves or suspicious persons and make them abandon their theft.

[0113] Drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. may be equipped with active counter-security equipment in place of or in conjunction with these passive security equipment. Such active counter-security equipment may include at least one of the following: firecracker ignition and dropping equipment, flare launcher, jamming net throwing equipment, colored anti-theft ball launcher, tear gas spraying equipment, and bollard mounting equipment. You may ignite and drop firecrackers all at once using firecracker ignition and dropping equipment, or you may ignite the firecrackers sequentially and drop one or more intermittently near the thief or suspicious person until they have left. A flare launcher may fire a parachute-equipped flare into the air and let it drift for a while, or it may be intermittently dropped near a thief or suspicious person, or near a broken wire that is about to be cut, so that the high brightness of the flare dazzles the thief or suspicious person while it is illuminating the area and causes them to abandon the theft. The jamming net can be deployed using a net-throwing device, spreading the net over an area of ​​several square meters and dropping it towards a thief or suspicious person to restrict their movement, make it difficult for them to move, or capture them. Alternatively, it can be dropped towards a cable near a broken section to hinder cable theft. The jamming net may be equipped with hook-and-loop fasteners at various points so that it becomes more entangled and difficult to escape the more it is moved. The device that launches colored security color balls contains a coloring agent that can be used to launch colored security color balls at thieves or suspicious individuals to serve as tracking markers or evidence of theft. When the color ball hits a target, it may tear or break, leaving a bright red or yellow coloring agent or luminol reaction coloring agent that is difficult to remove with water, and the coloring agent may adhere to the clothing or skin of the person who was caught. Using a tear gas spraying device, if there are no houses or people nearby, tear gas spray from a commercially available tear gas spray can, similar to those used in crime prevention products, can be sprayed towards or near a thief or suspicious person to deter them or make them abandon their theft. The device for placing wheel chocks allows for the placement of blocks weighing several tens of kilograms to 100 kilograms in front of and behind the tires of a suspicious vehicle near the point of a broken wire, effectively preventing the vehicle from being easily moved. Alternatively, caltrops can be scattered around the tires of a suspicious vehicle to cause them to puncture if the vehicle is moved. The caltrops may be made of iron so that they can be safely collected with a magnet afterward, or they may be colored a different color from the ground to make them easier to collect visually.

[0114] A drive circuit may be provided to drive such a counterattack device. For example, the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. may have a drive circuit that drives the counterattack device based on instruction signals from a remotely controlled controller 96 in response to a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal (not shown). Alternatively, the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. may have a flight guidance circuit 61 that flies autonomously over the disconnection location in response to a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal, and a drive circuit 61 that recognizes a suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the disconnection location and drives the counterattack device (not shown).

[0115] To prevent third parties other than thieves or suspicious persons, such as security guards, monitors, apprehensioners, warning officers, police officers, passersby, etc., from mistakenly using security equipment or counter-attack devices when they appear at the scene of the theft due to an alarm, it is preferable that interruption circuits 71, which instruct the operation of security equipment and counter-attack devices mounted on drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. to be stopped or paused, are connected to a second operating circuit by wire or wireless (not shown). To distinguish between thieves or suspicious persons and third parties who arrive later, it is sufficient to identify whether the person is a thief or suspicious person identified or locked on by at least one of the camera, recording device, and / or tracking device of drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. and the second security equipment 93, or someone else, in response to the disconnection signal and the disconnection location identification signal. In particular, it is preferable that the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. track the thief or suspicious person by locking onto the thief or suspicious person with a tracking device in either the drone 91a1, 91a2, etc. or the second security device 93, and identifying the thief or suspicious person as a third party, with the thief or suspicious person identification circuit connected to the first operating circuit by wire or wireless (not shown). To lock on and track, the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. identify the thief or suspicious person with a laser beam, then switch to, for example, an infrared sensor to track the thief or suspicious person using infrared radiation from their body heat, and finally determine their location using real-time three-dimensional position data.

[0116] Each of the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. is connected to a detection circuit 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, etc., and a disconnection location identification circuit 37, which identifies which of the detection circuits 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30d, etc. detected the theft, may be individually connected to separate notification circuits 40 or a single notification circuit 40.

[0117] Multiple theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. may be connected to individual detection circuits 40b, etc., or they may be connected collectively to a single detection circuit 40a. In the case of collectively connecting them, the detection circuit 40b also serves as the disconnection location identification circuit 37.

[0118] While the flight time and location of drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. are regulated by the Aviation Act, exceptions may be made with the permission of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, even if they should be regulated. To comply with these, it is preferable that the cable anti-theft device 1 has flight restriction means so that drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. fly only within the cable installation area, for example, within the premises of a solar power plant. The flight restriction means may be provided on the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc., or within the flight range of the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. The flight restriction measures may include boundary members 110 (see Figure 10), such as fences, nets, or meshes, that surround the cable installation area to prevent drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. from leaving the solar power plant site, even at night. This physically limits the flight range of the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. The fences, nets, or meshes should be set higher than the flight height of the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc. Another flight restriction means may be a flight restriction circuit (not shown) that indicates the cable installation area using GNSS position information (e.g., GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BeiDou) or map information of the cable installation area. The flight restriction circuit may be provided within the flight guidance circuit 61, or within the operation circuit 60 for operating the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. Such a flight restriction circuit ensures that the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. only fly within the cable installation area. Another flight restriction means may be a fiber, rope, wire, rubber tube, or chain connected to the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. from the drone standby base and extended from the standby base, or it may be a wire reel that extends when pulled and automatically retracts when loosened (not shown). It is preferable that these are provided on the bottom side of the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc. so that they do not get caught in the propellers of the drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc.

[0119] Drones 91a1, 91a2, 91a3, etc., refer to all drones weighing 100 grams or more that are regulated by the Aviation Act, and may be commercially available or modified versions of commercially available drones. Examples include the Matrice3D and Matrice3TD, which are mounted on the DJI Dock2 (a product name manufactured by DJI JAPAN Co., Ltd.).

[0120] As shown in Figure 1, an example of the theft prediction conductive wires 66A, 6B, 6C, etc. being attached parallel to the cable is shown. However, as shown in Figure 8, a single ring-shaped theft prediction conductive wire 6A, etc., may be attached parallel to the cable or, instead, wrapped around the cable, with one end 6a1 connected to the power supply and the other end 6a2 connected to the detection circuit 30a, etc., and connected to the first switch circuit (X1) 32a, etc., the second switch circuit 34a, etc., via a relay circuit. Multiple ring-shaped theft prediction conductive wires 7a may be arranged in a row. This makes it possible to detect a theft prediction wire break even when a theft attempt is made to separate the metal core wire 2a from the wire 3 covered with the insulating layer 2b (see Figure 3).

[0121] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9, the cable may be wrapped in a spiral shape as a theft prediction detection conductive wire 8a, with one end 8a1 connected to the power supply and the other end 8a2 connected to the detection circuit. This simplifies the system so that a single theft prediction detection conductive wire 8a is used and a single detection circuit 31a (see Figure 3) can detect the break.

[0122] In Figure 1, an example is shown where a single cable 1 has a total of six parallel anti-theft detection conductive wires, consisting of two strands of wire 6a, two strands of wire 6b, and two strands of wire 6c, which are folded back and split into two, and are spaced equally apart. However, they may be spaced unequally apart, and the spacing between the two strands of wire 6a, two strands of wire 6b, and two strands of wire 6c may be narrower, while the spacing between wires 6a, 6b, and 6c may be wider, resulting in a mix of equally spaced and unequally spaced wires. As shown in Figure 8, an example of two parallel anti-theft detection conductive wires 7a may be shown, but each of the two strands may similarly be spaced equally, unequally, or a mix of equally and unequally spaced wires. As shown in Figure 9, the spiral anti-theft detection conductive wire 8a may be a spiral with equally spaced wires, or a spiral with unequal spacing, or a spiral with some parts equally spaced and others unequally spaced.

[0123] The operation of the cable anti-theft device 10 will be described below with reference to Figure 5.

[0124] First, the power supply 20 is turned on to activate the cable anti-theft device 10. At this time, the timer 24 is set to turn on the cable anti-theft device 10. On the other hand, the timer 24 is set to turn off the cable anti-theft device 10 for a predetermined period of time so that it does not mistakenly detect an accidental theft warning of a disconnection when the power has been intentionally cut off during work or other tasks that allow monitoring and work to be performed only when such tasks are performed.

[0125] First, when the cable anti-theft device 10 is turned ON, current flows through the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc.

[0126] When such a current flows through the theft prediction detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, the detection circuits (X1) 30a, (X2) 30b, (X3) 30c, (X4) 30e, (X5) 30d, determine that there is no theft prediction break in the wires, and the first switch circuits (X1) 32a, (X2) 32b, (X3) 32c, (X4) 32d, (X5) 32e, do not activate. Therefore, the switch circuits (X1) 32a, (X2) 32b, (X3) 32c, (X4) 32d, (X5) 32e, all remain ON, and current is flowing. The notification circuit (X6) 40a determines that there is no theft prediction break in the wires because current is flowing. As a result, the switch circuit (X6) 41a does not activate and remains OFF. Meanwhile, the second switch circuits 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, etc., all remain OFF, and the current is interrupted. The notification circuit (X7) 40b determines that there is no theft warning or disconnection because no current is flowing. As a result, the switch circuit (X7) 41b does not work and remains OFF.

[0127] When switch circuits (X6) 41a and (X7) 41b are OFF, neither the first operating circuit 60, which is a theoretical AND digital circuit, nor the third operating circuit 65, which is a flicker relay circuit, will work. Therefore, neither the first security devices 90, such as drones 91a1, 91a2, etc., nor the second security devices 93, such as alarm devices 92c, warning lighting devices 92b, and disconnection signal transmitting / receiving terminals 92d, will operate.

[0128] When a thief begins cutting cable 1 at the exposed portion of the insulating layer 2b on the metal core wire 2a in cable 3, before the metal core wire 2a in cable 1 is cut, one of the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc., for example, somewhere on the theft detection conductive wire 6A, will be cut and the circuit will break. As a result, current will no longer flow to the detection circuit (X1) 30a, so it is determined that there is a theft-indicating break and the first switch circuit (X1) 32a is turned from the ON state to the OFF state via a relay circuit (not shown). Consequently, the notification circuit (X6) 40a turns on the switch circuit (X6) 41a via the relay circuit and energizes it. Meanwhile, when the first switch circuit (X1) 32a is turned OFF, the second switch circuit 34a is turned ON. As a result, the notification circuit (X7) 40b turns on the switch circuit (X7) 41b via the relay circuit, thereby energizing it.

[0129] If the notification circuit (X6) 40a continues to operate for a predetermined time, for example 1 to 60 seconds, preferably 2 to 10 seconds, it is determined that it is not a malfunction, and another switch circuit (T1) 51a is turned ON via the relay circuit, and power is supplied.

[0130] When the backup notification circuit (X8) 40c is activated, the switch circuit (X8) 41c turns ON and power is supplied.

[0131] When switch circuits (X6) 41a, (X7) 41b, and (T1) 51a, as well as switch circuit (X8) 41c (provided as needed), are ON, the first operating circuit 60, the second operating circuit 63, and the third operating circuit 65, which is a flicker relay circuit, are energized.

[0132] When the first operating circuit 60 is activated by power, for example, the communication circuit 62a' communicates to the flight guidance circuit 61 that it has received a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal from the antenna. The flight guidance circuit 61 then guides the drone 91a1, based on the location information of the disconnection location, towards the location of the disconnection based on the operation instructions of the first operating circuit 60. The drone 91a1 then takes off from its standby position and is driven automatically to fly over the disconnection location based on the instruction signals. If necessary, monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and security equipment 91b are activated based on the operation instructions of the second operating circuit 63. Furthermore, based on the operation instructions of the third operating circuit 65, second security equipment 93 such as monitoring equipment, warning speakers, warning lighting equipment 92b, alarm equipment 92c, disconnection signal receiving terminal 92d, camera equipment, recording equipment, tracking equipment, and street light extinguisher are activated. This warns and deters thieves and suspicious individuals, preventing them from stealing cable 1.

[0133] Alternatively, in Figure 6(a), although the installation positions of the first operating circuit 60 and the second operating circuit 63 are different, they operate similarly to warn and deter thieves or suspicious individuals, thereby preventing them from stealing cable 1.

[0134] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6(b), when the first operating circuit 60 is activated by power, the communication circuit 62a'' communicates to the flight guidance circuit 61 of the controller 96 that it has received a disconnection signal and a disconnection location identification signal from the antenna. The flight guidance circuit 61 then guides the drone 91a1 from its standby position towards the location of the disconnection based on the location information of the disconnection, and drives it to the airspace above the disconnection via autonomous flight based on the instruction signal or by manual / remote control. The equipment is then dispatched by air. If necessary, monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and security equipment 91b are driven and operated based on the operation instructions of the second operating circuit 63. Furthermore, based on the operation instructions of the third operating circuit 65, second security equipment 93 such as monitoring equipment, warning speakers, warning lighting equipment 92b, alarm equipment 92c, disconnection signal receiving terminal 92d, camera equipment, recording equipment, tracking equipment, and street light extinguisher are activated. This warns and deters thieves or suspicious individuals, preventing them from stealing cable 1.

[0135] The flight guidance circuit 61 is pre-programmed to direct the drone 91a1 towards the location information of the broken wire, or to read the location information above the cut site and fly there. It directs the drone 91a1, 91a2, etc., to fly over the broken wire and, if necessary, activates the anti-theft equipment and / or counter-attack equipment on the drones 91a1, 91a2, etc., to warn and intimidate thieves or suspicious individuals and deter them from stealing.

[0136] Furthermore, when the third operating circuit 65 is activated by the flow of power, security devices 93 such as warning lighting devices 92b, alarm devices 92c, and disconnection signal transmitting / receiving terminals 92d are activated to warn and deter thieves or suspicious individuals and discourage them from stealing.

[0137] The security device 93 is preferably installed in a high place such as a utility pole or a high-rise tower so that it cannot be destroyed by thieves.

[0138] For example, the alarm device 92c emits a loud siren-like warning sound from its speaker, or a warning message stating that it will report the crime if the theft is not stopped immediately, thereby creating a sense of urgency in the thief and causing them to abandon their theft.

[0139] Alternatively, the warning lighting device 91 uses the first operating circuit 60 and / or the third operating circuit 65 to recognize which cable 1 is near the theft prediction detection conductive wire 6A that the thief is attempting to steal, and then uses the first security device 90 and / or the second security device 93, which is a lighting device such as a searchlight or a tracking light that tracks a target such as a moving thief with a camera, to deter the thief and make them abandon the theft.

[0140] Alternatively, the first operating circuit 60 and / or the third operating circuit 65 recognize which cable 1 is near the theft prediction detection conductive wire 6A that the thief is attempting to steal, and activate the first security device 90 and / or the third security device 93, which is a rotating light, preferably a red rotating light, or a Patlite (registered trademark), near the cable 1 that is about to be cut, thereby giving the thief a sense of urgency and causing them to abandon the theft.

[0141] Alternatively, the third operating circuit 65 can identify which cable 1 is near the theft prediction detection conductive wire 6A that the thief is attempting to steal, and then wirelessly or wiredly notify the disconnection signal transmission / reception terminal 92d of the solar power plant's security company, management company, owner company, or police, or notify the mobile phone or tablet of the monitor or security guard via the internet or wirelessly, of where the theft is about to occur within the vast solar power plant. This allows security guards and police officers to rush to the scene immediately, potentially leading to the arrest and apprehension of the thief.

[0142] The first security device 90 and the second security device 93 can, if necessary, be equipped with cameras such as night vision cameras or zoom cameras to record the thief's theft and use it as evidence. If necessary, a drone equipped with a speaker and camera can be used to deter the thief and make them abandon the theft.

[0143] The second security device, 93, can also be used as a streetlamp extinguisher to turn off streetlights that illuminate solar power plants or construction sites at night, plunging them into darkness and making it difficult for thieves to commit theft. This buys time for security guards to arrive and apprehend the thieves.

[0144] The security device 93 may be configured to stop manually, automatically, or remotely via the stop circuit 72 once the theft risk has been averted after detecting signs of theft. Alternatively, the cable anti-theft device 10 may be returned to its initial state via the reset circuit 27.

[0145] In Figures 2 and 3, an example is shown where each of the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc., is connected to the detection circuits (X1) 30a, (X2) 30b, (X3) 30c, (X4) 30d, (X5) 30e, etc. However, the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, etc., can be connected together as a single wire and connected to only one detection circuit (X1) 30a. In this case, when any of the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc., is cut, a change in voltage or current will occur, which can then be detected by the detection circuit (X1) 30a. This simplifies the configuration of the cable theft prevention device 10.

[0146] Although an example was shown in which a thief cuts the wire 3 at the exposed portion of the insulating layer 2b on the metal core wire 2a, if such an exposed portion is housed in a terminal box 105 or manifold box 107 (see Figure 6) that is difficult to destroy, theft prediction conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. may be attached to the sheath 5.

[0147] The multiple theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. may be attached at unequal intervals, but if they are attached at equal intervals, then no matter which direction the cable 1 is cut from, one of the theft detection conductive wires 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, etc. will be disconnected. The cable anti-theft device 10 may use a stop timer instead of a stop circuit 72 connected to the operating circuit.

[0148] Although we have shown an example where a large-diameter main cable 106 is targeted as cable 3, the anti-theft device 10 can also be used for small-diameter cables connecting solar panel modules 102 within the array 103, or for small-diameter cables 104 connecting the array 103 to the solar power distribution panel in the terminal box.

[0149] Furthermore, the anti-theft device 10 for trunk cables can also be used for cables at construction sites, such as buildings constructed of reinforced concrete and steel frame, where the main electrical cables are being installed. In this case, once the building is completed, including the interior, the trunk cables will not be stolen, so the anti-theft device 10 can be made removable and reused. [Industrial applicability]

[0150] The cable theft prevention device of the present invention is used in solar power plants, construction sites, and the like, attached to cables that need to be protected from theft. It warns thieves and contacts security personnel, causing them to abandon the theft before cutting the cable, thereby minimizing damage and preventing cable theft. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 1 is the cable, 2a is the metal core wire, 2b is the insulation layer, 3 is the electric wire, 4 is the retaining tape, 5 is the sheath, 6A·6B·6C·6D·6E··· are theft detection conductive wires, 6a1·6a'1·6a”1·6b1·6b'1·6b”1·6c1·6d1·6e1··· are one end of the theft detection conductive wire, 6a2·6a'2·6a”2·6b2·6b'2·6b”2··6c2·6d2·6e2··· are the other end of the theft detection conductive wire, 10 is the wire break detection device (or cable anti-theft device), 20 is the power supply, 21 is the power meter, 22 is the fuse, 23a·2 3b is a no-fuse breaker, 24 is a time meter, 25 is a fuse, 26 is a power meter, 27 is a reset circuit, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e... are detection circuits, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d... and 33a, as well as 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d... and 35a are switch circuits, 36a, 36b, 36c... are disconnection location recognition circuits, 37 is disconnection location identification circuit, 40, 40a, 40b, 40c are notification circuits, 41a, 41b, 41c are switch circuits, 50, 50a are delay circuits, 51a is a switch circuit, and 60 is first The operating circuit is 61, the flight guidance circuit is 62a, 62a', 62a'' are communication circuits, 63 is the second operating circuit, 64a, 64a' are communication circuits, 65 is the third operating circuit, 66a, 66a' are communication circuits, 70 is the stop circuit, 71 is the interruption circuit, 72 is the stop circuit, 90 is the first security device, 91a1, 91a2, ... are drones, 91b, 91b3 are surveillance / warning devices and / or security devices, 92b is the warning lighting device, 92c is the alarm device, 92d is the disconnection signal transmitting / receiving terminal, 92e is the camera device, 93 is the second security device, 95 is the surveillance equipment, 96 is the controller 97 is a server, 97a is a receiving circuit, 97b is a memory device, 97c is an AI-equipped central control unit, 97d is a comparison circuit, 97e is a judgment recognition circuit, 98a is an alert indicator, 98b is an alarm generator, 100 is a solar power plant, 101 is a solar cell element, 102 is a solar panel module, 103 is an array, 104 is a small diameter cable, 104a and 104b are cable terminals, 105 is a terminal box, 106 is a large diameter trunk cable, 106a and 106b are cable terminals, 107 is a manifold, 108 is a DC to AC converter, and 110 is a boundary member.

Claims

1. One or more wire break detection conductive wires are placed at both ends of a cable which is made up of multiple bundles of wires, each having a metal core covered with an insulating layer, A detection circuit that detects a break in the aforementioned wire based on a change in voltage or current due to a break in the wire detection conductive wire, A notification circuit that transmits a wire break signal indicating the wire break via wire or wireless means based on the detection of the wire break, Drones and The system includes a first operating circuit that, in response to receiving the disconnection signal, causes the drone to fly from a standby position to the area above the disconnection. The wire break detection device is characterized in that the wire break detection conductive wire consists of an enameled wire covered with an insulator and is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the cable, or around the cable in a ring or spiral shape.

2. The wire break detection device according to claim 1, wherein the wire break detection conductive wire is a theft prediction detection conductive wire for detecting the wire break that occurs when the theft of the cable begins due to intentional cutting of the cable is initiated, and the device is a cable theft prevention device for detecting the initiation of the theft due to the wire break.

3. The wire break detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wire break detection conductive wires are arranged in a line at equal intervals, at unequal intervals, or at equal intervals in some parts and at unequal intervals in other parts.

4. The wire break detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a second operating circuit that activates monitoring equipment, warning equipment, and / or security equipment mounted on the drone in response to the wire break signal.

5. The wire break detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a third operating circuit that activates a warning device in response to the wire break signal.

6. The wire break detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a determination circuit that distinguishes between wire breakage due to malfunction or electrical accident, wire breakage due to pest animal, wire breakage due to the commencement of theft by intentionally cutting the cable, and wire breakage during maintenance work.

7. The aforementioned monitoring device is a photographic device that is a camera or a night scope, or a device that has the aforementioned photographic device and a device that records the captured images. The aforementioned warning device includes at least one selected from an alarm device, a warning speaker, a warning lighting device, and a tracking device. The wire break detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the security device has at least one launching device selected from a flare launcher and a signal gun launcher; and / or at least one counterattack device selected from a firecracker ignition and dropping device, a jamming net throwing device, a colored security ball launcher, a tear gas spraying device, and a bollard placement device.

8. The wire break detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the warning device is installed on the ground and is at least one of the following: a camera, a camera and image recording device, a monitoring device, an alarm device, a warning speaker, a warning lighting device, a tracking device, a street light extinguisher, and a wire break signal transmitting and receiving terminal.

9. The wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a wire break location identification circuit is connected to the detection circuit.

10. The wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wire break signal comprises the wire break notification signal and a wire break location identification signal indicating the wire break location.

11. The wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wire break identification signal is for communicating the location information of the wire break as digital data, and is an information signal selected from positioning satellite system location information or fixed point information on a map of the cable installation area, indicating the cable or both ends of the cable.

12. A wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a flight guidance circuit, which is connected by wire or wirelessly to the first operating circuit and communicates flight guidance instructions to the drone by wire or wireless, is mounted on the drone to enable autonomous flight, or mounted on the server to enable automatic control of the drone based on instruction signals from the server of the monitoring equipment, or mounted on a controller for remotely controlling the drone.

13. The cable break detection device according to claim 11, characterized in that the flight guidance circuit communicates the flight guidance instructions to the drone based on any information signal selected from positioning satellite system position information, fixed point information on a map of the cable installation area, or information signals of real-time three-dimensional position data that has locked onto a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle.

14. The wire break detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second operating circuit is mounted on the drone for autonomous flight, or mounted on a server of monitoring equipment for automatic piloting of the drone, or mounted on a controller for remote control of the drone.

15. A wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a communication circuit that transmits wirelessly or via wire from the notification circuit to the first operating circuit, and / or a communication circuit that transmits indirectly or directly wirelessly or via wire from the first operating circuit to the drone.

16. The wire break detection device according to claim 12, further comprising a communication circuit that transmits wirelessly or via wire from the first operating circuit to the drone via the flight guidance circuit, between the first operating circuit and the flight guidance circuit, and / or between the flight guidance circuit and the drone.

17. The wire break detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that it has a communication circuit that transmits wirelessly or via wire from the notification circuit to the second operating circuit, and / or a communication circuit that transmits wirelessly or via wire from the second operating circuit to the monitoring equipment, the warning equipment, and / or the security equipment.

18. An artificial intelligence pattern memory unit that stores a group of suspicious patterns of suspicious movements, selected from at least one of the following: a group of suspicious movements resembling those of a thief or suspicious person, and a suspicious vehicle; a group of harmful animal patterns, a group of legitimate patterns selected from the movements and facial patterns of a legitimate worker and a group of license plate patterns of a registered vehicle; A data communication circuit transmits to artificial intelligence at least one of the imaging data from the monitoring device mounted on the drone and the imaging data from the ground-based camera, regarding the area around the aforementioned disconnection. The artificial intelligence's imaging data storage unit stores the aforementioned imaging data, The artificial intelligence includes a comparison circuit for the artificial intelligence that compares the image data with the suspicious pattern group, the pest pattern group, and the legitimate pattern group, The artificial intelligence includes a judgment and recognition circuit that determines whether the movement of the image data is identical or similar to the image data, the suspicious pattern group, the pest pattern group, and the legitimate pattern group. A wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by having the following features.

19. The wire break detection device according to claim 18, further comprising an alarm generation circuit that, when the judgment recognition circuit determines that the image data and the suspicious pattern group are identical or similar, or when the image data and the suspicious pattern group, the pest pattern group, and the legitimate pattern group are not identical or similar, recognizes them as thieves or suspicious persons and / or suspicious vehicles, displays theft / suspicious information on a monitor, and issues an alarm.

20. The wire break detection device according to claim 18, further comprising a first feedback circuit that provides feedback to the first operating circuit when the judgment recognition circuit recognizes a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle, wherein the feedback causes the first operating circuit to operate so that the drone tracks the thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the wire break.

21. The wire break detection device according to claim 18, further comprising a second feedback circuit that, when the judgment recognition circuit recognizes a thief or suspicious person and / or a suspicious vehicle, provides feedback to a second operating circuit that activates monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment mounted on the drone, wherein the feedback causes the second operating circuit to continue operating to monitor, warn and / or retaliate against the thief or suspicious person and / or suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the wire break using the monitoring equipment, warning equipment and / or security equipment.

22. The wire break detection device according to claim 18, characterized in that a stop circuit, which instructs the drone to stop or pause its operation when a third party other than a thief or suspicious person appears, is connected to the first operating circuit by wire or wireless.

23. A wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the aforementioned wire break detection conductive wires is connected to the detection circuit, each of the aforementioned detection circuits is connected to a detection circuit recognition circuit, and each of the aforementioned detection circuit recognition circuits is connected to a wire break location identification circuit.

24. The cable break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has flight restriction means so that the drone flies only in the area where the cable is installed.

25. The cable break detection device according to claim 24, characterized in that the flight restriction means is a fence, net, or mesh surrounding the cable installation area, a flight restriction circuit that indicates the cable installation area with GNSS position information or map information of the cable installation area, and at least one of a fiber, rope, wire, wire reel, rubber tube, and chain connected to the drone.

26. The wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plurality of wire break detection conductive wires are connected to individual detection circuits or are connected collectively to a single detection circuit.

27. The wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a delay circuit for preventing malfunction is connected to the first operating circuit.

28. A wire break detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a stop circuit connected to the first operating circuit, an interruption circuit connected to the second operating circuit, and / or a stop circuit connected to the third operating circuit.

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