Piping Inspection System
The RFID-tagged piping inspection system efficiently narrows the inspection range by using multiple reading devices to determine piping integrity, enhancing the precision and speed of identifying blockages in drain pipes.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021173275
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-10-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing piping inspection systems require inspecting the entire length of a drain pipe when clogged, which is inefficient and lacks precision in identifying the exact location of blockages.
A piping inspection system using RFID tags attached to test specimens, with multiple reading devices to narrow the inspection range by determining the integrity of piping sections based on RFID tag reading times and locations.
The system allows for precise identification of clogged areas by dividing the inspection range, reducing the time required to detect and locate blockages, and improving overall inspection efficiency.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a piping inspection system. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a water flow test system and a water flow test method.
[0003] This prior art water flow test system comprises a test specimen that is introduced into a drainage pipe from the upstream side and recovered on the downstream side of the pipe, the test specimen including a test specimen memory unit that has test specimen information including information that identifies the test specimen, and a test specimen communication unit that emits radio waves that include the test specimen information; a mobile terminal that detects radio waves, the mobile terminal communication unit that detects radio waves emitted from the test specimen communication unit, and a mobile terminal control unit that identifies the test specimen based on the radio waves detected by the mobile terminal communication unit and locates the test specimen based on the strength of the radio waves, and displays this on the display unit of the mobile terminal.
[0004] In addition, the water flow test method using this prior art water flow test system includes a test specimen introduction step in which the test specimen is introduced into the drainage pipe from the upstream side of the drainage pipe, a test specimen recovery step in which the test specimen is recovered on the downstream side of the drainage pipe, a drainage pipe water flow determination step in which, after the test specimen is recovered, the presence or absence of a blockage in the drainage pipe is determined using a mobile terminal, and a blockage location identification step in which, if it is determined that the drainage pipe is clogged, the location of the blockage is identified using a mobile terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-32536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] In the technology of Patent Document 1, if a drain pipe is clogged, the range of the clogged area is the entire section of the drain pipe between the upstream section where the test specimen was introduced and the downstream section where the test specimen was retrieved. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect the entire section using a mobile terminal to identify the clogged area, which leaves room for improvement in inspection efficiency.
[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to narrow the range in which the soundness of piping is judged. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] A first aspect is a piping inspection system comprising: a test specimen that is inserted into a fluid inlet of a piping and recovered at a fluid outlet of the piping; an ID tag attached to the test specimen and having identification information recorded thereon; a first reading device that reads the identification information of the ID tag inserted into the fluid inlet; a second reading device that reads the identification information of the ID tag of the test specimen that moves between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the piping; a third reading device that reads the identification information of the ID tag of the test specimen that is recovered at the fluid outlet of the piping; and a display device that displays at least one of information determined by a judgment unit regarding the integrity of the piping and information for determining the integrity using the identification information of the ID tag read by the first reading device, the second reading device, and the third reading device, the time of insertion into the fluid inlet, and the reading times at which the second reading device and the third reading device read the identification information of the ID tag.
[0009] In the first aspect of the piping inspection system, the display device displays at least one of information determined by the judging unit regarding the soundness of the piping and information for judging the soundness using the time of introduction of the fluid into the fluid inlet and the time of reading the identification information of the ID tag by the second and third readers. Therefore, the soundness of the piping between the fluid inlet and the position where the second reader reads, and the soundness of the piping between the position where the second reader reads and the fluid outlet can be determined. Therefore, compared to when the second reader is not provided, the range for judging the soundness of the piping is divided and narrowed.
[0010] The "information determined by the determination unit for soundness" is information resulting from the determination by the determination unit for the soundness of the piping, such as "retention present" or "failure." The "information for determining soundness" is information that enables an operator to determine the soundness of the piping, such as "reading time" or "elapsed time."
[0011] A second aspect is a piping inspection system described in the first aspect, in which the piping is a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe extending from a water supply area to a drainage pit, and the antenna of the second reading device is inserted into the vertical pipe through a cleaning port provided in the vertical pipe.
[0012] In the second aspect of the piping inspection system, the antenna of the second reading device is inserted into the standpipe through a cleaning port provided in the standpipe, thereby reducing the occurrence of failure to read the identification information of the ID tag of a test specimen moving through the standpipe compared to when the identification information of the ID tag is read from outside the standpipe.
[0013] A third aspect is a piping inspection system according to the first or second aspect, which has a detection device that detects the ID tag of the test object that has become stuck between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the piping, and detects the location where the test object has become stuck.
[0014] In the third aspect of the piping inspection system, the range for determining the integrity of the piping is divided and narrower than when a second reading device is not provided, so the detection range for detecting the stagnation point of the test specimen by the detection device is narrower. [Effects of the Invention]
[0015] According to the present invention, the range in which the soundness of a pipe is judged can be divided and narrowed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a piping inspection system and the configuration of a building drainage pipe. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a towel, an RF tag, a first reading device, and a tablet terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a piping inspection system. [Figure 4] (A) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the antenna of the second reading device is inserted into the vertical pipe from the cleaning port, and (B) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the antenna of the third reading device is inserted into the cleaning and drainage pit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a piping inspection result displayed on the screen of a tablet terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing radio wave intensity displayed on the screen of a tablet terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a test result form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] <Embodiment> A piping inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0018] [composition] First, the configuration of the piping inspection system will be described.
[0019] A piping inspection system 100 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a system for inspecting the soundness of a drainage pipe 50, which is an example of piping, for the presence or absence of clogged portions or portions where the flow is poor.
[0020] The piping inspection system 100 shown in Figure 1 is configured to include a towel 102 (see also Figure 2) as an example of a test specimen, an RF tag 104 (see also Figure 2) as an example of an ID tag, a first reading device 110 (see also Figure 2), a second reading device 120 (see also Figure 3), a third reading device 130 (see also Figure 3), and a tablet terminal 140 (see also Figure 2) as an example of a determination unit and display device.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the configuration of a drainage pipe 50 in a multi-story building 10, which in this embodiment is three stories above ground and one basement floor. The third floor is designated 11A, the second floor 11B, the first floor 11C, and the basement floor 11D. Furthermore, components and the like relating to the third floor are designated with an A after the reference numeral, components and the like relating to the second floor are designated with a B after the reference numeral, components and the like relating to the first floor are designated with a C after the reference numeral, and components and the like relating to the basement are designated with a D after the reference numeral. Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between these, the A, B, C, and D after the reference numeral may be omitted.
[0022] The drain pipe 50 is made up of horizontal pipes 52, 54, 56 and a vertical pipe 58 that run from the plumbing on each floor, in this embodiment, the toilet 60, the unit bath 62, and the kitchen 64, to a drain pit 70 on the basement floor. The vertical pipe 58 is installed vertically within the building 10 and is connected to the drain pit 70. The horizontal pipe 52 connects from the toilet 60 to the vertical pipe 58, the horizontal pipe 54 connects from the unit bath 62 to the vertical pipe 58, and the horizontal pipe 56 connects from the kitchen 64 to the vertical pipe 58.
[0023] The RF tag 104 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is an ID tag used in RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier), which exchanges information by short-range wireless communication using an electromagnetic field, radio waves, or the like. The RF tag 104 of this embodiment is a passive tag that operates using radio waves output from a reader, in this embodiment, the first reading device 110, the second reading device 120, and the third reading device 130, as its energy source, and does not have a built-in battery. Note that the RF tag 104 may also have a built-in battery. Each RF tag 104 shown in Fig. 2 has individual identification information SB recorded therein. The identification information SB of the RF tag in Fig. 2 is "A1234," but different identification information SB is recorded for each RF tag 104.
[0024] The RF tag 104 is attached to the towel 102. In this embodiment, the RF tag 104 is sewn to the towel 102.
[0025] The first reading device 110 of this embodiment is configured with a handheld antenna that is an RFID reader. The first reading device 110 is connected to a tablet terminal 140. In this embodiment, the two are connected wirelessly by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, but this is not limiting and the two may be connected by wire.
[0026] 3, the tablet terminal 140 is an information processing terminal that can be connected to the Internet 20. The tablet terminal 140 can be connected to a server device 22 via the Internet 20. The tablet terminal 140 also acquires time information (current time) from an NTP server 24 via the Internet 20.
[0027] 2 and 3, the tablet terminal 140 receives information read by the first reading device 110, specifically, the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) recorded in the RF tag 104 (see FIG. 2), and records the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) and the reading time when the first reading device 110 reads the identification information SB (see FIG. 2). The reading time uses time information obtained from an NTP server.
[0028] For convenience, the time when the first reader 110 reads the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) of the RF tag 104 will be referred to as the "first read time YA." For convenience, the time when the second reader 120 (described later) reads the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) of the RF tag 104 will be referred to as the "second read time YB," and the time when the third reader 130 reads the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) of the RF tag 104 will be referred to as the "third read time YC." When there is no need to distinguish between these, they may simply be referred to as the "read time."
[0029] The second reading device 120 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is an RFID reader, and as shown in Fig. 4(A), is configured to have a rod-shaped antenna 122, a wire part 124, and a main body part 126. Similarly, the third reading device 130 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is an RFID reader, and as shown in Fig. 4(B), is configured to have a rod-shaped antenna 132, a wire part 134, and a main body part 136. Note that the antennas 122, 132 and the wire parts 124, 134 are covered with a covering material (not shown) to improve waterproof performance.
[0030] An antenna 122 of a second reading device 120 shown in FIG. 4(A) is inserted into a standpipe 58 through a cleaning port 59 (see also FIG. 1) provided in the standpipe 58 (see also FIG. 1).
[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 126 of the second reading device 120 (see FIG. 4(A)) is electrically connected to the sub-control device 220 (see also FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the sub-control device 220 is connectable to the Internet 20. The sub-control device 220 is connectable to a server device 22 via the Internet 20. The sub-control device 220 also obtains time information (current time) from an NTP server 24 via the Internet 20.
[0032] The sub-control device 220 receives the information read by the second reading device 120, specifically the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) recorded in the RF tag 104 (see FIG. 2), and records the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) and a second read time YB at which the second reading device 120 reads the identification information SB of the RF tag 104. The second read time YB uses time information obtained from the NTP server 24. The sub-control device 220 then automatically transmits the recorded identification information SB and second read time YB to the server device 22.
[0033] The antenna 132 of the third reader 130 shown in FIG. 4(B) is inserted into the catch basin 70 (see also FIG. 1).
[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, the main body 136 of the third reading device 130 (see Fig. 4(B)) is electrically connected to the main control device 230 (see also Fig. 1). The main control device 230 is connectable to the server device 22 via the Internet 20. The main control device 230 also obtains time information (current time) from the NTP server 24 via the Internet 20.
[0035] The main control device 230 receives the information read by the third reading device 130, specifically the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) recorded in the RF tag 104 (see FIG. 2), and records the identification information SB and a third reading time YC at which the third reading device 130 reads the identification information SB of the RF tag 104. The third reading time YC uses time information obtained from the NTP server 24. The sub-control device 220 then automatically transmits the recorded identification information SB and third reading time YC to the server device 22.
[0036] Here, the sub-controller 220 and the main controller 230 may have any configuration, but in this embodiment they are configured to include HUBs 222, 232, BOX PCs 224, 234, and mobile routers 226, 236 for connecting to the Internet 20.
[0037] The main bodies 126, 136 (see also FIG. 4) of the second reading device 120 and the third reading device 130 are connected to BOX PCs 224, 234 via HUBs 222, 232. The BOX PCs 224, 234 are industrial personal computers. The BOX PCs 224, 234 record the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) of the RF tags 104 (see FIG. 2) read by the second reading device 120 and the third reading device 130, as well as the respective reading times. The BOX PCs 224, 234 are also connected to mobile routers 226, 236, and are connected to the Internet 20 via the mobile routers 226, 236. In this embodiment, the two are connected wirelessly by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, but this is not limiting and the two may be connected by wire. The BOXPCs 224 and 234, which are industrial personal computers in this embodiment, have a CPU, memory, etc. not shown, and the CPU controls the mobile routers 226 and 236, the second reading device 120, the third reading device 130, etc. according to programs registered in the memory.
[0038] Furthermore, the above-mentioned tablet terminal 140 automatically acquires the identification information SB (see FIG. 2), the first read time YA, and the second read time YB automatically transmitted by the main control device 230 and the sub-control device 220 from the server device 22 via the Internet 20. The tablet terminal 140 in this embodiment has a CPU, memory, etc. not shown, and the CPU displays on the screen 142 information determining the soundness of the drainage pipe 50 from the identification information SB (see FIG. 2), the first read time YA, the second read time YB, etc. in accordance with a program registered in the memory.
[0039] [Inspection method] Next, an example of an inspection method for inspecting the soundness of a drainage pipe 50 of a building 10 using the piping inspection system 100 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 will be described. In addition, here, the case of inspecting the drainage pipe 50 of the building 10 from a toilet 60A, which is one of the plumbing parts on the third floor, to a drainage pit 70 will be described.
[0040] The antenna 122 of the second reading device 120 is inserted into the standpipe 58B from the cleaning opening 59B on the second floor 11B. The antenna 132 of the third reading device 130 is inserted into the catch basin 70. The inspection range 80 of the drain pipe 50 for this inspection is from the toilet 60A to the horizontal pipe 52A of the catch basin 70 and the standpipes 58B, 58C, and 58D.
[0041] Here, the antenna 122 of the second reading device 120 is inserted into the standpipe 58B from the cleaning port 59B on the second floor 11B. Therefore, the inspection range 80 of the drainpipe 50 for this inspection is divided into a first range 80A from the toilet 60A to the cleaning port 59B on the second floor 11B in the standpipe 58B, and a second range 80B from the cleaning port 59B on the second floor 11B to the catch basin 70.
[0042] The worker 18 inputs into the tablet terminal 140 an instruction to drop off the towel 102 from the toilet 60A on the third floor 11A (see also FIG. 2).
[0043] The worker 18 reads the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) of the ID tag 104 attached to the towel 102 to be flushed down the toilet 60A with the first reading device 110 (see also FIG. 2). When the identification information SB of the ID tag 104 is read by the first reading device 110, the identification information SB is input into the tablet terminal 140, and the identification information SB is associated (linked) with the toilet 60A on the third floor 11A and recorded. In addition, the first reading time YA read by the first reading device 110 is recorded as the insertion time TA (see display 146 in FIG. 5).
[0044] After worker 18 reads identification information SB (see FIG. 2) of RF tag 104 attached to towel 102 with first reader 110, worker 18 immediately throws towel 102 into toilet 60A and flushes it. Towel 102 flows from horizontal pipe 52A to vertical pipe 58, and reaches catch basin 70 where it is collected.
[0045] When the towel 102 reaches the catch basin 70, the third reading device 130 reads the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) of the RF tag 104 (see also FIG. 4(B)), and the identification information SB and the third reading time YC are recorded in the main control device 230. The third reading time YC of the third reading device 130 is recorded as the catch basin arrival time TC (see display 146 in FIG. 5).
[0046] In this embodiment, the antenna 122 of the second reading device 120 is inserted into the standpipe 58B through the cleaning opening 59B on the second floor 11B. Therefore, when the towel 102 passes through here, the identification information SB (see FIG. 2) of the RF tag 104 attached to the towel 102 is read by the second reading device 120 (see FIG. 4(A)), and the identification information SB and the second reading time YB are recorded in the sub-control device 220. The second reading time YB of the second reading device 120 is recorded as the standpipe passing time TB (see display 146 in FIG. 5).
[0047] This inspection is carried out by flushing towels 102 with RF tags 104 attached in succession in the water areas such as toilet 60, unit bath 62, and kitchen 64 on each floor. RF tags 104 with different identification numbers are used for each water area.
[0048] When inspecting the plumbing such as the toilet 60B, the unit bath 62B, and the kitchen 64B on the second floor 11B, the antenna 122 of the second reading device 120 is inserted into the standpipe 58C from the cleaning opening 59C on the first floor 11C. Similarly, when inspecting the plumbing such as the toilet 60C, the unit bath 62C, and the kitchen 64C, the antenna 122 of the second reading device 120 is inserted into the standpipe 58D from the cleaning opening 59D on the basement floor 11D.
[0049] [Health assessment on tablet devices] The tablet terminal 140 is equipped with application software that displays information for determining the health of the drainage pipe 50 based on the identification information SB (see Figure 2) of the RF tag 104 attached to the towel 102, the time TA (see Figure 5) when the towel 102 is thrown into the water area such as the toilet 60, unit bath 62, or kitchen 64 on each floor associated with this identification information SB, the time TB (see Figure 5) when the towel 102 passes through the vertical pipe 58, and the time TC (see Figure 5) when the towel 102 reaches the manhole.
[0050] 5 is an example of a display screen showing the inspection results displayed on the screen 142 of the tablet terminal 140. In the overall display 144, T represents the toilet 60, B represents the unit bath 62, and K represents the kitchen 64. Also, a white dot indicates that the inspection has not been carried out, an S1 dot indicates that the inspection has been carried out, an S2 dot indicates that the inspection has been delayed, an S3 dot indicates that the vertical pipe has been detected, and an S4 dot indicates that the manhole has been detected.
[0051] Note that "put in" means that there is a log (first read time YA) of the towel 102 being read from the bathroom by the first reading device 110, "vertical pipe detected" means that there is a log (second read time YB) of the RF tag 104 being read by the second reading device 120, and "manhole detected" means that there is a log (third read time YC) of the RF tag 104 being read by the third reading device 130. Also, "delay" means that the log (third read time YC) of the RF tag 104 being read by the third reading device 130 is recorded after a predetermined time has passed since the log (first read time YA) of the RF tag 104 being read by the first reading device 110.
[0052] By looking at this display, the worker 18 can determine the soundness of the drain pipe 50 in the water-related area being inspected. For example, the dot display S4 indicating that the manhole has been detected indicates that there is no accumulation or delay of towels 102. Furthermore, if the vertical pipe detection S3 remains and the manhole detection does not occur even after a predetermined time has passed, it is determined that the towels 102 have not reached the drain manhole 70. In other words, it is determined that there is a problem with the soundness of the second range 80B from the cleaning outlet 59 to the drain manhole 70, that is, that there is a location where the towels 102 are clogged and stagnating. Furthermore, if the dot display S1 indicating that the towels have been inserted remains and the manhole detection does not occur even after a predetermined time has passed, it is determined that the towels 102 have not reached the cleaning outlet 59. In other words, it is determined that there is a problem with the soundness of the first range 80A from the water-related area being inspected to the cleaning outlet 59, that is, that there is a location where the towels 102 are clogged and stagnating. Also, when the dot display of S2 indicates a delay, it can be seen that there is a problem with the flow of water in the drain pipe 50.
[0053] Furthermore, when the worker 18 taps on a room, an individual display 146 is displayed on the right. The display 146 displays details of the insertion time TA when the towel 102 was inserted into the water area to be inspected (the first read time YA when the first reading device 110 reads the RF tag 104), the standpipe passing time TB when the towel 102 passed through the cleaning opening 59 of the standpipe 58 (the second read time YB when the second reading device 120 reads the RF tag 104), and the manhole arrival time TC when the towel 102 arrived at the drainage manhole 70 (the third read time YC when the third reading device 130 reads the RF tag 104).
[0054] These individual displays 146 indicate the range of areas where towels 102 are stagnating. For example, if the vertical pipe passing time TB is displayed but the manhole arrival time TC is not, it indicates that there is a problem with the soundness of the second range 80B from the cleaning port 59 to the catch basin 70, i.e., there is an area where towels 102 are clogged and stagnating. Furthermore, if a dot display of delay S2 is displayed, it indicates whether there is a problem with the soundness of the first range 80A or the second range 80B, i.e., whether there is an area where the flow is poor, by comparing the insertion time TA, the vertical pipe passing time TB, and the manhole arrival time TC.
[0055] In this way, the soundness of the drain pipe 50 can be determined using the insertion time TA when the towel 102 is inserted into the water area being inspected (first reading time YA when the first reading device 110 reads the RF tag 104), the upright pipe passing time TB when the towel 102 passes through the cleaning port 59 of the upright pipe 58 (second reading time YB when the second reading device 120 reads the RF tag 104), and the manhole arrival time TC when the towel 102 arrives at the drain manhole 70 (third reading time YC when the third reading device 130 reads the RF tag 104).
[0056] [Identifying stagnation points] Next, an example of a method for identifying a location where the towel 102 is clogged and accumulated will be described.
[0057] In this embodiment, as described above, the antenna 122 of the second reading device 120 is inserted into the upright pipe 58 from the cleaning port 59. Therefore, the inspection range 80 of the drain pipe 50 is divided into a first range 80A from the toilet 60A to be inspected to the cleaning port 59B of the upright pipe 58B, and a second range 80B from the cleaning port 59B of the upright pipe 58B to the catch basin 70.
[0058] Then, by performing work to identify an abnormal portion in the first range 80A or the second range 80B that has a soundness problem, the work range is narrowed.
[0059] In this embodiment, a first reading device 110 configured as a handheld antenna that is an RFID reader is used to identify a location where the towel 102 is clogged and accumulated.
[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tablet terminal 140 has an application that displays the radio wave intensity of the radio waves received by the first reading device 110. An example of the application screen is shown in Fig. 6. The stronger the radio wave intensity, the further to the right the indicator 148 is displayed.
[0061] The worker 18 starts up this application and, holding the tablet terminal 140 and the first reader 110, walks along the piping route in the first range 80A or the second range 80B where there is a soundness problem, measuring the radio wave intensity of the radio waves emitted from the RF tags 104 of the towels 102 that have accumulated there. The worker 18 then identifies the location where the radio wave intensity is high as the location where the towels 102 have accumulated.
[0062] [Creating test result reports] When inspection of all the plumbing fixtures is completed, the worker 18 uses application software on the tablet terminal 140 to create a report summarizing the inspection results. FIG. 8 shows an example of a specific report screen showing the inspection results. In this example, plumbing fixtures for which the vertical pipe passing time TB (second read time YB when the second reader 120 reads the RF tag 104) and the manhole arrival time TC when the towel 102 arrived at the drainage manhole 70 (third read time YC when the third reader 130 reads the RF tag 104) are not recorded, and plumbing fixtures for which there is a delay are marked as failing, while all others are marked as passing. The worker 18 transmits this report to an office or the like via the Internet 20 (see FIG. 3).
[0063] [Action and effect] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.
[0064] In the piping inspection system 100 of this embodiment, the second reading device 120 reads the identification information SB of the RF tag 104 of the towel 102 moving between the drainage manhole 70 and the water-related areas such as the toilet 60, unit bath 62, and kitchen 64 of the drainage pipe 50.
[0065] Therefore, it is possible to determine the soundness of the area between the water-related parts of the drain pipe 50, such as the toilet 60, the unit bath 62, and the kitchen 64, and the position read by the second reading device 120 (the cleaning port 59 in this embodiment) (first range 80A in this embodiment), and the area between the position read by the second reading device 120 (the cleaning port 59 in this embodiment) and the drain box 70 (second range 80B in this embodiment). Therefore, compared to when the second reading device 120 is not provided, the range for determining the soundness of the drain pipe 50 is divided and narrowed. Therefore, the soundness of the drain pipe 50 can be determined in more detail.
[0066] Furthermore, in the piping inspection system 100 of this embodiment, the antenna 122 of the second reading device 120 is inserted into the standpipe 58 from the cleaning port 59 provided in the standpipe 58, which reduces the occurrence of failures in reading the identification information SB of the RF tag 104 of the towel 102 moving through the standpipe 58 from outside the standpipe 58. Furthermore, even if the standpipe 58 is made of metal, it is possible to read the identification information SB of the RF tag 104 of the towel 102 moving through the standpipe 58.
[0067] Furthermore, in the piping inspection system 100 of this embodiment, the range for determining the soundness of the drain pipe 50 is divided and narrowed compared to when the second reading device 120 is not provided. Therefore, the detection range for detecting areas clogged with towels 102 by the first reading device 110 is narrowed, thereby reducing the detection work time required by the worker 18 to detect areas clogged with towels 102. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a handheld scanner, which is the first reading device 110, is used as the detection device, so there is no need to provide a dedicated detection device.
[0068] Furthermore, in the piping inspection system 100 of this embodiment, soundness can be determined based on the detection result of the second reading device 120. Therefore, for example, if towels 102 are clogged and accumulated between a water supply such as toilet 60A on the third floor 11A and cleaning opening 59B, worker 18 can detect the accumulation location while another worker 18 inspects the water supply on the second floor 11B, thereby improving the inspection efficiency of the entire building 10 (all drainage pipes 50).
[0069] <Other> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0070] For example, in the above embodiment, the first reading device 110, the second reading device 120, the third reading device 130, and the tablet terminal 140 send and receive information via the main control device 230, the sub-control device 220, the Internet 20, and the server device 22, but this is not limiting. The first reading device 110, the second reading device 120, the third reading device 130, and the tablet terminal 140 may be directly electrically connected to each other wirelessly or with a wire.
[0071] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, an RF tag 104 is used, but this is not limited to this. ID tags using communication standards other than RFID, such as iBeacon (registered trademark) using Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, may also be used. Note that the first reader 110, second reader 120, and third reader 130 may be devices that comply with the communication standards of the ID tags.
[0072] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the towel 102 is used as the test object, but this is not limiting. Test objects other than the towel 102, such as a ball, may also be used.
[0073] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the piping inspection system is used to inspect the drainage pipe 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to inspect any piping other than the drainage pipe 50 through which a liquid or gas flows.
[0074] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the second reading device 120 and the third reading device 130 are configured to have rod-shaped antennas 122, 132, wire parts 124, 134, and main body parts 126, 136, but are not limited to this. The second reading device 120 and the third reading device 130 may be stationary scanner devices. In this case, the second reading device 120 and the third reading device 130 are installed near the standpipe 58 and the catch basin 70, and read the identification information SB of the RF tag 104 from outside the standpipe 58 and the catch basin 70.
[0075] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the second reading device 120 is placed only in one location on the drain pipe 50 between the drain manhole 70 and the water-related areas such as the toilet 60, the unit bath 62, and the kitchen 64. However, this is not limited to this. The second reading device 120 may be placed in two or more locations on the drain pipe 50 between the water-related areas such as the toilet 60, the unit bath 62, and the kitchen 64 and the drain manhole 70. In this case, the inspection range 80 is divided into three or more ranges, which is preferable because the range for determining soundness is further narrowed.
[0076] In addition, for example, in the above embodiment, the first reading time YA at which the first reading device 110 reads the identification information SB of the RF tag 104 is set to the insertion time TA at which the towel 102 is inserted, but this is not limited to this. For example, the insertion time TA may be input by operating the tablet terminal 140 when inserting the towel 102.
[0077] Furthermore, for example, information other than the insertion time TA, the vertical pipe passing time TB, the manhole arrival time TC, etc. may be displayed on the tablet terminal 140. For example, the time elapsed from the insertion time TA to the third reading time YC of the third reading device 130, the time elapsed from the insertion time TA to the second reading time YB of the second reading device 120, and the time elapsed from the second reading time YB of the second reading device 120 to the third reading time YC of the third reading device 130 may be displayed on the tablet terminal 140.
[0078] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, the tablet terminal 140 determines and displays that there is a "delay (area where the flow is poor)" when the log of reading the RF tag 104 by the third reading device 130 is recorded after the time when it should have been (the time when a set time or more has elapsed since the RF tag 104 was read by the first reading device 110), but this is not limited to this. An operator may determine whether there is a "delay (area where the flow is poor)" from the insertion time TA when the towel 102 is inserted into the water area to be inspected (the first reading time YA when the RF tag 104 is read by the first reading device 110) and the manhole arrival time TC when the towel 102 arrives at the drainage manhole 70 (the third reading time YC when the RF tag 104 is read by the third reading device 130).
[0079] Alternatively, the tablet terminal 140 may use the insertion time TA when the towel 102 is inserted into the water area being inspected (first reading time YA when the first reading device 110 reads the RF tag 104), the upright pipe passing time TB when the towel 102 passes through the cleaning port 59 of the upright pipe 58 (second reading time YB when the second reading device 120 reads the RF tag 104), and the manhole arrival time TC when the towel 102 arrives at the drainage manhole 70 (third reading time YC when the third reading device 130 reads the RF tag 104) to determine and display that there is a "delay (area with poor flow)" in either or both of the first range 80A and the second range 80B.
[0080] In other words, if the upright pipe passing time TB (second reading time YB) is recorded after a predetermined time has passed since the insertion time TA (first reading time YA) in the water area being inspected, the tablet terminal 140 will determine and display a "delay (area with poor flow)" in the first range 80A, and if the upright pipe passing time TB (second reading time YB) at which the towel 102 passed through the cleaning port 59 of the upright pipe 58 is recorded after a predetermined time has passed since the upright pipe passing time TB (second reading time YB) at which the towel 102 passed through the cleaning port 59 of the upright pipe 58 and the manhole arrival time TC (third reading time YC) is recorded, the tablet terminal 140 will determine and display a "delay (area with poor flow)" in the second range 80B.
[0081] In addition to determining the above-mentioned "delay," the tablet device 140 may determine and display the area where the towel 102 is clogged and stagnating, using the time TA (first reading time YA) when the towel 102 is thrown into the water area being inspected, the time TB (second reading time YB) when the towel 102 passes through the cleaning port 59 of the upright pipe 58, and the time TC (third reading time YC) when the towel 102 arrives at the drainage manhole 70.
[0082] In other words, if the time of insertion TA (first reading time YA) of the water-related part being inspected is recorded but the time of passing through the vertical pipe TB (second reading time YB) is not recorded even after a predetermined time has passed, the tablet terminal 140 determines and displays that there is a "stagnant area" in the first range 80A, and if the time of arrival at the manhole TC (third reading time YC) is not recorded even after a predetermined time has passed from the time of passing through the vertical pipe TB (second reading time YB) when the towel 102 passed through the cleaning port 59 of the vertical pipe 58, the tablet terminal 140 determines and displays that there is a "stagnant area" in the second range 80B.
[0083] The predetermined time elapsed (required time) that serves as the basis for the tablet terminal 140 to determine "delay" and "stagnation point" is set and input by the worker 18 as appropriate based on the diameter, length, etc. of the drainage pipe 50.
[0084] In the above embodiment, the tablet terminal 140 is used as the display device and the determination unit, but this is not limiting. Electronic devices other than the tablet terminal 140, such as a smartphone or a laptop computer, may also be used.
[0085] In the above embodiment, the tablet terminal 140 is an electronic device having both the functions of a display device and a determination unit, but this is not limited to this. For example, the soundness may be determined by a computer (determination unit) or the like located in a different location, and the electronic device such as the tablet terminal 140 may only display the determination result.
[0086] In short, the tablet terminal 140 or the like simply displays one or both of the information resulting from determining the soundness of the drainage pipe 50 based on the insertion time TA associated with the identification information SB of the RF tag 104 in the water area where the towel 102 was inserted and the reading times when the second reading device 120 and the third reading device 130 each read the identification information SB of the RF tag 104, and the information for determining the soundness.
[0087] Furthermore, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0088] 50 Drainage pipe (example of piping) 52 Horizontal pipe 54 Horizontal pipe 56 Horizontal pipe 58 Vertical pipe 59 Cleaning port 60 Toilet (an example of a fluid inlet) 62 Unit bath (an example of a fluid inlet) 64 Kitchen (an example of a fluid inlet) 70 Catchment area (an example of a fluid outlet) 100 Piping Inspection System 102 Towel (example of test specimen) 104 RF tag (example of ID tag) 110 Example of first reading device and detection device 120 Second reading device 122 Antenna 130 Third reading device 133 Antenna 140 Tablet terminal (display device) SB identification information TA input time TB vertical pipe passage time TC box arrival time YA First Reading Time YB Second Reading Time YC Third Reading Time
Claims
1. a test specimen that is introduced into a fluid inlet of a pipe and collected at a fluid outlet of the pipe; an ID tag attached to the test piece and recording identification information; a first reader that reads the identification information of the ID tag that is inserted into the fluid inlet; a second reader that reads the identification information of the ID tag of the test object moving between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the piping; a third reader that reads the identification information of the ID tag of the test specimen collected at the fluid outlet of the piping; a display device that displays at least one of information determined by a determination unit for the soundness of the piping and information for determining the soundness, using the identification information of the ID tag read by the first reading device, the second reading device, and the third reading device, the time of introduction of the fluid into the fluid inlet, and the time of reading of the identification information of the ID tag by the second reading device and the third reading device; A piping inspection system equipped with
2. The piping is a horizontal pipe and a vertical pipe that run from the water area to the drainage pit, an antenna of the second reading device is inserted into the standpipe through a cleaning port provided in the standpipe; The piping inspection system according to claim 1 .
3. When the test specimen is clogged and retained between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the piping, a detection device that detects the ID tag of the test object that has stayed and detects the location where the test object has stayed; The piping inspection system according to claim 1 or 2.
Citation Information
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