Ground-penetrating exploration equipment and ground-penetrating exploration system
The ground-penetrating exploration device uses a camera in a borehole with a binder to enhance visibility and prevent object damage, addressing inaccuracies and risks in existing methods.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TAISEI CORP
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing subsurface exploration methods, such as ground penetrating radar and drilling-based techniques, face inaccuracies due to geological influences and material variations, and drilling methods risk damaging buried objects.
A ground-penetrating exploration device with a camera at the tip of a protective cylinder, which is inserted into a borehole after injecting a binder to clarify the water, allowing clear visualization of the borehole bottom.
Accurate identification of underground targets is achieved while preventing damage to buried objects by enhancing water clarity and enabling efficient exploration.
Smart Images
Figure 0003256097000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0001] The present invention relates to a subsurface exploration device and a subsurface exploration system.
Background Art
[0002] As a method for subsurface exploration, there is a method of grasping the position of buried objects by non-contact exploration methods such as ground penetrating radar, magnetic exploration, and electromagnetic induction method. In these non-contact exploration methods, errors and misidentifications may occur in the measurement results due to the influence of geology, the material of buried objects, etc. In addition, a method has been proposed in which a drilling hole is drilled in the ground, and geology and buried objects are estimated based on the load and displacement applied to the bit provided at the tip of the drill rod. However, it is difficult to accurately grasp geology and buried objects by this method. In addition, there is a subsurface exploration method in which a camera is inserted into a drilling hole constructed in the ground, and the bottom of the drilling hole is visually recognized by the camera to grasp buried objects and geology (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0007] The aforementioned binder is an additive that imparts adhesiveness to granules or the like. As a binder, for example, one can use a binder that is scattered on the ground where seeds have been sown to impart adhesiveness to the seeds, thereby helping them to adhere to the ground. In a borehole, soil and sediment are continuously supplied to the water from the borehole walls. Under these conditions, even if a coagulant (a chemical that purifies water by coagulating suspended solids and oil in wastewater) is mixed into the turbid water in the borehole, the turbidity of the water does not decrease easily.
[0008] When using the underground exploration device of this invention to explore for buried objects or geological formations underground, first, a borehole is excavated into the ground to the location of the target to be explored, and a binder is poured into the borehole to increase the transparency of the water inside. In this state, the camera of the underground exploration device of this invention is inserted into the borehole, allowing the bottom of the borehole to be clearly visualized by the camera. As a result, the underground exploration device of this invention can clearly visualize and accurately identify the target to be explored underground. Furthermore, when exploring the ground using the underground exploration device of this invention, there is no need to press the drill bit of the excavator against the buried object, thus preventing damage to the buried object.
[0009] When a ground-penetrating exploration system is configured that includes the aforementioned ground-penetrating exploration device and a binder injection tool for introducing the binder into the borehole, the binder can be smoothly introduced into the borehole, thereby improving the efficiency of ground-penetrating exploration work. The binder injection device can be selected from an injection hose, injection cylinder, or funnel-shaped member depending on the working environment and the type of binder.
[0010] The aforementioned underground exploration system is equipped with a container for the binder and a supply hose for supplying the binder to the binder dispenser, thereby enabling efficient injection of the binder into the borehole.
[0011] In the aforementioned underground exploration system, by arranging the binder injection tool and the underground exploration device in different directions relative to the ground-side opening of the borehole, it is possible to smoothly switch between injecting the binder into the borehole and inserting the underground exploration device into the borehole. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] By increasing the transparency of the water in the borehole with a binder, and then inserting the camera of the underground exploration device of this invention into the borehole, the target of exploration underground can be clearly visualized and accurately identified. Furthermore, when exploring underground with the underground exploration device of this invention, damage to buried objects by the drilling machine bit can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] This is a side cross-sectional view showing a subterranean exploration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the stage of constructing the borehole. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the stage of pouring a binder into the borehole. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the step of inserting a subterranean exploration device according to an embodiment of the present invention into a borehole. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a subsurface exploration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the stage of introducing a binder into the borehole. The underground exploration system 1 of this embodiment is a system for determining the depth and condition of buried objects in the ground, or for understanding the geological conditions at a predetermined depth.
[0015] The underground exploration system 1 of this embodiment includes the underground exploration device 2 shown in FIG. 1, the binder injector 3 shown in FIG. 3, the storage container 4 for the binder, and the supply hose 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the underground exploration device 2 is for photographing the bottom of the excavation hole A constructed in the ground. The underground exploration device 2 includes a protective cylinder 10, a camera 20 held inside the protective cylinder 10, a cord reel 22, and an image processing device 23.
[0016] The protective cylinder 10 is a linear pipe made of metal or resin. The protective cylinder 10 is inserted into the excavation hole A into which the binder is poured. A camera 20 is fixed to the tip (lower end) inside the protective cylinder 10.
[0017] The camera 20 can photograph below the protective cylinder 10 through the lower end opening of the protective cylinder 10. The camera 20 has a waterproof function. Inside the protective cylinder 10, a cable 21 extending upward from the camera 20 is inserted. The cable 21 extends outside from the upper end opening of the protective cylinder 10 and is wound around the drum of the cord reel 22 installed around the opening on the ground side of the excavation hole A.
[0018] In this embodiment, an image processing device 23 is attached to the cord reel 22, and the image data photographed by the camera 20 is input into the image processing device 23 through the cable 21. The image photographed by the camera 20 is displayed on the screen of the image processing device 23.
[0019] The binder injector 3 of this embodiment is an injection hose for injecting the binder into the excavation hole A as shown in FIG. 3. The storage container 4 is a tank in which the binder is stored. The supply hose 5 supplies the binder from the storage container 4 to the binder injector 3. In this embodiment, the binder injector 3 is constituted by the tip of a single hose 6. Also, the supply hose 5 is constituted by a part of the hose 6 on the side of the storage container 4 rather than the binder injector 3. A pump P installed in the container 4 supplies the binder from inside the container 4 to the supply hose 5, and the binder is then supplied to the binder dispenser 3 through the supply hose 5.
[0020] A binder is an additive that imparts adhesiveness to granules or other materials. In this embodiment, a binder is used that imparts adhesiveness to seeds sown on the ground, thereby fixing the seeds to the ground. The binder contains, for example, anionic polyacrylamide. As such a binder, for example, Fujimi Green Bond, a product of Fujimi Kogyo Co., Ltd., can be used.
[0021] Next, we will describe the procedure for determining the depth and condition of pipe B buried underground using the underground exploration system 1 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the stages of constructing the borehole. As shown in Figure 2, the excavator 7 is placed on the ground, and the drilling shaft 7a is rotated and pushed into the ground, thereby excavating the ground with the bit 7b provided at the tip of the drilling shaft 7a and constructing a borehole A. When constructing borehole A, the location and depth of pipe B are estimated, and drilling is stopped at a depth where bit 7b is thought to have reached the outer surface of pipe B.
[0022] As shown in Figure 3, groundwater flows into borehole A from the ground and mixes with soil, causing turbid water to accumulate in borehole A. Once borehole A is constructed, a container 4 is placed near the ground-side opening of borehole A, and a binder dispenser 3 is inserted into borehole A. Then, the binder is dispensed into borehole A from the container 4 through the supply hose 5 and the binder dispenser 3.
[0023] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the step of inserting the underground exploration device according to an embodiment of the present invention into a borehole. After a predetermined amount of binder is injected into the borehole A using the binder injection tool 3, the binder injection tool 3 is withdrawn from the borehole A as shown in Figure 4. When a binder is mixed into the turbid water stored in borehole A, the sediment in the turbid water becomes more easily aggregated, and as a result, the clarity of the water in borehole A increases.
[0024] After the binder injection device 3 is withdrawn from the borehole A, the cord reel 22 and image processing device 23 of the ground-penetrating exploration device 2 are installed around the ground-side opening of the borehole A. At this time, the cord reel 22 and image processing device 23 of the ground-penetrating exploration device 2 are positioned in a different direction from the containment container 4, supply hose 5, and binder injection device 3 with respect to the ground-side opening of the borehole A.
[0025] With the camera 20 of the underground exploration device 2 facing downwards, the protective cylinder 10 is inserted into the borehole A, and the tip of the protective cylinder 10 and the camera 20 are positioned at the bottom of the borehole A, as shown in Figure 1. This allows the camera 20 to photograph the outer surface of pipe B if its outer surface is exposed at the opening at the lower end of the borehole A.
[0026] As described above, by mixing a binder into the borehole A to increase the transparency of the water in borehole A, and then positioning the camera 20 of the ground-penetrating exploration device 2 at the bottom of borehole A, the bottom of borehole A can be clearly visualized by the camera 20. In other words, the ground-penetrating exploration device 2 can clearly visualize the underground pipe B, and therefore the location, depth, or condition of pipe B can be accurately determined.
[0027] When exploring the ground using the underground exploration device 2 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to press the bit 7b of the excavator 7 shown in Figure 2 against the pipe B, thus preventing damage to the pipe B.
[0028] In the underground exploration system 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the binder can be smoothly and efficiently introduced from the containment container 4 into the borehole A by the supply hose 5 and the binder injection tool 3, thereby improving the work efficiency of underground exploration.
[0029] In the underground exploration system 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the binder injection tool 3 and the underground exploration device 2 are positioned in different directions relative to the ground-side opening of the borehole A. This allows for a smooth transition between injecting the binder into the borehole A and inserting the underground exploration device 2 into the borehole A.
[0030] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the binder injection device 3 can be selected from an injection hose, an injection cylinder, or a funnel-shaped member, depending on the working environment and the type of binder.
[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the condition of the buried pipe B is investigated using the underground exploration system 1, but the objects of exploration of the underground exploration system and underground exploration device of this invention are not limited. For example, the underground exploration system and underground exploration device of this invention may be used to explore the geology at a predetermined depth.
[0032] Furthermore, a transparent cushioning material may be provided at the tip of the protective cylinder 10 so as to cover the front of the lens of the camera 20. This buffering member physically removes turbid water interposed between the camera 20's lens and the object being investigated (pipe B, etc.) when the camera 20 is pressed against the bottom of the borehole A, enabling imaging at extremely close range. As a result, the surface condition of the object being investigated can be reliably visualized even in highly turbid environments where transparency by binders is insufficient.
[0033] Additionally, lighting devices may be placed around the camera 20 to illuminate the shooting area. This lighting device allows for a clearer capture of objects behind flocs (clumps) of sediment formed by a binder, by illuminating the area from the front or oblique direction when flocs are floating in water.
[0034] Additionally, a nozzle may be provided that sprays purified water locally towards the front of the lens of the camera 20. Unlike ordinary soil and sand, the highly viscous aggregated deposits created by the binder are bound together as flocs, making them easier to detach and remove as a single mass from the front of the lens by the spray pressure from the nozzle. [Explanation of symbols]
[0035] 1. Ground Penetration Exploration System 2. Ground-penetrating exploration device 3. Binding agent dispenser 4. Containment container 5. Supply hose 6 hoses 7 Excavator 7a Excavation shaft 7b bit 10 Protective barrel 20 cameras 21 Cables 22 Cord Reels 23 Image Processing Device A. Drilled hole B Piping P Pump
Claims
1. A ground-penetrating exploration device for photographing the bottom of a borehole constructed in the ground, A protective cylinder is inserted into the borehole into which the binder has been injected, A ground-penetrating exploration device characterized by comprising a camera held at the tip of the protective cylinder body.
2. The underground exploration device according to claim 1, A subsurface exploration system characterized by comprising a binder injection tool for introducing the binder into the borehole.
3. A ground-penetrating exploration system according to claim 2, The aforementioned binder injection device is characterized by being an injection hose, an injection cylinder, or a funnel-shaped member, in a subsurface exploration system.
4. A ground-penetrating exploration system according to claim 2, The container for the binder, A subsurface exploration system characterized by comprising a supply hose for supplying the binder to the binder dispenser.
5. A ground-penetrating exploration system according to claim 2, A subterranean exploration system characterized in that the binder injection device and the subterranean exploration device are arranged in different directions with respect to the ground-side opening of the excavation hole.