Inspection System

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an inspection system with which it is possible to achieve the accuracy of detection suitable for the maintenance of structural soundness while reducing costs by circuit simplification and suppressing an interference with structures in the surrounding of an installed place, an increase in air resistance, and an impact on external appearance. [Solution] An inspection system (10) applied to moving vehicles, comprising a circuit (11) provided on the insulating coating or non-conducting coating of the structural surface of a moving vehicle and closely attached to the insulating coating or the non-conducting coating, a sensor terminal connected to the circuit (11), and an RF antenna terminal connected to an RF antenna (15), and further including an RFID IC chip (14) for detecting the electrical continuity state of the circuit (11).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inspection system. [Background technology]

[0002] Aircraft such as passenger planes undergo periodic inspections to ensure their soundness during operation. Periodic inspections are carried out by inspectors or the like who visually inspect the exterior. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose defect detection using RFID or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,333,898 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 7,621,193 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because aircraft accumulate fatigue and damage as the number of flights increases, inspections at set intervals are mandatory for each aircraft. Visual inspections, the primary inspection method, require time and effort proportional to the number of items to be inspected and the frequency of inspections. Furthermore, reducing the aircraft's weight improves fuel efficiency, but increases the stress on each component, making fatigue and damage more likely to accumulate. In this case, frequent inspections are required to maintain integrity, which increases operating costs. Conversely, designing aircraft with high damage tolerance can maintain and improve integrity without increasing inspection frequency. However, this can lead to a deterioration in aircraft performance, such as an increase in overall aircraft weight and reduced fuel efficiency. Therefore, current aircraft structures are designed to strike a compromise between inspection burden and aircraft performance, but further performance improvements require reducing the inspection burden.

[0005] Although Patent Document 1 describes defect detection using RFID, this is a method that uses non-destructive testing, and it is not possible to expect the accuracy to accurately detect damage on the order of a few millimeters in the structure of a moving object such as an aircraft. Patent document 2 also proposes a combination of a damage detection method involving destruction of a conductor circuit and a wireless communication device, but uses a detection device in which the conductor circuit is sandwiched or covered with an insulating film, and creating the device is time-consuming. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 does not specifically disclose the strength of the insulating film and conductor circuit, or the interface and relationship between them. For example, if the strength of the insulating film or interface is weaker than that of the conductor circuit, even if damage occurs in the base material, the damage will only spread within the insulator or at the interface, and will not propagate to the conductor circuit, which may not necessarily result in damage detection with the desired accuracy. For this reason, there is room for improvement in the materials and cross-sectional shapes of the components of the detection circuit. In addition, since specific values for the circuit dimensions have not been disclosed, there is a possibility that the circuit will protrude outside the object of installation, which could increase air resistance, interfere with surrounding structures, or worsen the appearance. Furthermore, since a separate receiver must be provided to power the sensors connected to the circuit, the system is large and complex, requiring many components. This leaves room for improvement in system simplification and cost reduction. On the other hand, if the RF antenna of an RFID tag is placed too close to a conductor such as metal or CFRP, the radio waves emitted from the RFID reader cannot penetrate the RF antenna, preventing communication.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide an inspection system that can achieve detection accuracy suitable for maintaining structural integrity while reducing costs by simplifying the circuitry, minimizing interference with structures around the installation site, increasing air resistance, and affecting appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an inspection system applied to a moving body, the system comprising: a conductive circuit provided on an insulating paint or a non-conductive coating on a structural surface of the moving body and in close contact with the insulating paint or the non-conductive coating; a sensor terminal connected to the conductive circuit; and an RF antenna terminal connected to an RF antenna; and an RFID IC chip for detecting a continuity state of the conductive circuit. The conductive circuit, the RFID chip, and a predetermined area including the area where the conductive circuit and the RFID chip are installed, as well as other areas, are covered with a non-conductive material. It is an inspection system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the material, shape, and strength of the conductive circuit of the inspection system can be adjusted, and a conductive circuit that is tightly attached to the surface of a moving object can be installed using a specific conductive paint, conductive powder, or adhesive, thereby improving the damage detection accuracy of the inspection system. Furthermore, by using a thin or narrow conductive circuit for the inspection system, interference with surrounding structures, increased air resistance, and deterioration of the appearance can be suppressed when the circuit is installed. Furthermore, because the RFID IC chip used in the inspection system has communication functions and damage detection circuit inspection functions, the entire device can be simplified, lightweight, and compact. Furthermore, remote inspection using an RFID reader and RFID IC chip is possible even for inspection objects that are impervious to radio waves, such as metals and CFRP. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a break occurs in a circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an RFID reader according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example circuit installation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an example circuit installation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a crack. [Figure 7] 1 is a BB cross-sectional view of an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an inspection system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an inspection system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The inspection system 10 is applied to a moving body. In this embodiment, a case where the inspection system 10 is applied to an aircraft 31 as a moving body will be described as an example. FIG. 1A shows an example where the inspection system 10 is provided on a fuselage skin 20 of the aircraft 31. Note that the inspection system 10 is not limited to the aircraft 31, and can also be applied to various moving bodies such as trains, spacecraft, vehicles, and surface ships.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1B, an inspection system 10 according to this embodiment includes a circuit (conductive circuit, electric circuit) 11 and an RFID tag 12 as main components.

[0013] The circuit 11 is provided on the outer surface of the moving body and is made of conductive paint, conductive powder, metal thin film or small diameter metal wire. The circuit 11 is conductive.

[0014] Specifically, the circuit 11 is configured as follows. A non-conductive layer made of a non-conductive paint (insulating paint) or a non-conductive coating (non-conductive oxide coating) is formed as a base material on the structural surfaces (external surfaces) of the aircraft 31. In other words, the structural surfaces of the aircraft 31 are in close contact with the non-conductive layer while being electrically insulated from the outside.

[0015] The circuit 11 is formed directly on a non-conductive layer (outside, the outside of the aircraft 31 structure) using conductive paint, followed by curing and adhesion. Alternatively, the circuit 11 is formed using conductive powder adhered to a non-conductive layer made of non-conductive paint or non-conductive coating. Alternatively, the circuit 11 is formed using a thin metal film or small-diameter metal wire and fixed with an adhesive applied to the non-conductive layer made of non-conductive paint or non-conductive coating. In other words, the structural surface of the aircraft 31 and the circuit 11 are structurally joined while being electrically insulated by the non-conductive layer made of non-conductive paint or non-conductive coating. The circuit 11 is formed to have a predetermined circuit diagram for each part of the aircraft 31, and both ends of the circuit 11 are connected to sensor terminals of the RFID chip 14, which will be described later.

[0016] Examples of non-conductive coatings include, but are not limited to, anodizing treatments on aluminum alloys and passivation coatings on stainless steel.

[0017] Non-conductive coatings include, but are not limited to, epoxy primers and polyurethane enamel top coats.

[0018] Examples of adhesives include, but are not limited to, cyanoacrylate adhesives and epoxy adhesives.

[0019] Conductive paint is, for example, a mixture of organic paint as a solvent and graphite powder, silver powder, or conductive polymer (conductive polymer organic compound, conductive molecule, or conductive single molecule) as a solute. Conductive paint is liquid when applied and may be separated into a base agent and a curing agent. Circuit patterns can be freely created according to the shape of the object to be inspected using a spray or brush, and after curing, they become solid, conductive circuits. The conductive paint used to form circuit 11 provides circuit 11 with appropriate elasticity and adhesion to non-conductive paint or non-conductive coatings. This allows circuit 11 to be configured to withstand minor deformations of the aircraft's exterior surface, but not to break when the exterior surface experiences significant deformation or cracks. The paint may also be designed to break circuit 11 when the exterior surface deforms beyond a predetermined amount or when cracks occur on the exterior surface.

[0020] The conductive powder is composed of a powder whose composition is 50% or more of conductive molecules or conductive simple atoms that can adhere to a non-conductive coating or non-conductive paint. By forming the circuit 11 from the conductive powder, the circuit 11 has appropriate elasticity and adhesion to the non-conductive paint or non-conductive coating, so the circuit 11 can be configured so that it will not break when the outer surface of the aircraft 31 is slightly deformed, but will break when the outer surface is significantly deformed or cracked. The paint may also be designed so that the circuit 11 will break when the outer surface is deformed by more than a predetermined amount or when a crack occurs in the outer surface.

[0021] The thin metal film is composed of a material with elasticity and strength similar to the structural material being inspected. Specifically, it is made of aluminum, its alloys, or copper. It is thin, such as a thin foil or mesh. Its cross-sectional thickness is within 100 μm so that it can accurately detect cracks even small enough to be detected by visual inspection of the aircraft 31. The circuit 11 is composed of a thin metal film with appropriate material properties and shape, and is adhered to the outer surface of the aircraft 31 via an adhesive. This allows the circuit 11 to be configured so that it will not break even with minor deformation of the outer surface of the aircraft 31, but will break even with major deformation or cracks on the outer surface. The thin metal film may also be designed so that the circuit 11 will break if the outer surface is deformed beyond a predetermined amount or if a crack occurs on the outer surface.

[0022] The small-diameter metal wire is a thin wire made of, for example, copper or aluminum. Its cross section is circular, but it may also be polygonal or hollow. It may also be made by twisting together multiple small-diameter metal wires. It may have an insulating layer on its surface. The circuit 11 is formed from a small-diameter metal wire with appropriate elasticity and is adhered to the outer surface of the aircraft 31 via an adhesive, so that the circuit 11 will not break even if the outer surface of the aircraft 31 is slightly deformed, but will break if the outer surface is significantly deformed or cracked. The small-diameter metal wire may also be designed so that the circuit 11 will break if the outer surface is deformed by more than a predetermined amount or if a crack occurs in the outer surface.

[0023] In this way, by constructing the circuit 11 using conductive paint, conductive powder, metal thin film or small diameter metal wire, the elasticity of the material can be utilized to improve the precision (accuracy) of detection.

[0024] The RFID tag 12 includes an RFID IC chip 14, an RF antenna 15, a sensor terminal 16, and a non-conductive base 17. The RFID IC chip 14 includes a sensor terminal (not shown) and an antenna terminal (not shown). The RFID IC chip 14 is connected to the circuit 11 via the sensor terminal 16 and to the RF antenna 15 via the antenna terminal. The RFID IC chip 14 detects the electrical continuity of the circuit 11. The RF antenna 15 mediates communication (signal transmission and reception) between the RFID IC chip 14 and the outside world and provides power.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a disconnection occurs in a circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 shows a case where the circuit 11 is configured to surround a support portion of a window 21 in a fuselage skin 20 of an aircraft 31. The support portion of the window 21 is also an opening in the fuselage skin 20, where stress concentration occurs. In addition, there is a hole for a fastener 22 that fastens the fuselage skin 20 and the window 21, making it a location where cracks are likely to occur. Therefore, it is preferable that the circuit 11 be provided so as to pass between the window 21 and the fastener 22.

[0026] As described above, Fig. 2 shows a case where a break occurs in the circuit 11. For example, as shown at point 23 in Fig. 2, a crack occurs on the outer surface of the fuselage skin 20 from the frame of the window 21 toward the fastener 22. This causes the circuit 11 to break, resulting in a disconnection.

[0027] Thus, when a crack occurs in the outer surface of the aircraft 31, the circuit 11 is cut.

[0028] The RFID IC chip 14 of the RFID tag 12 is connected to two ends of the circuit 11 via the sensor terminals 16 to form a closed circuit with the circuit 11. The RFID IC chip 14 detects the continuity of the circuit 11. The continuity of the circuit 11 refers to, for example, whether or not a break has occurred in the circuit 11. In other words, the RFID IC chip 14 detects whether or not a break has occurred in the circuit 11. By detecting whether or not a break has occurred in the circuit 11, the RFID IC chip 14 can detect a crack in the outer surface of the aircraft 31 that is the cause of the break in the circuit 11.

[0029] The RFID IC chip 14 detects the conduction state of the circuit 11, for example, by determining whether or not a current flows through the circuit 11 (current value) or by the electrical resistance value of the circuit 11. The method for detecting the conduction state is not limited to these.

[0030] In the above example, the continuity state is described as whether or not the circuit 11 is disconnected, but a state between a state where no disconnection occurs and a state where the circuit 11 is completely disconnected may be detected as a damaged state of the circuit 11. The damaged state can also be determined based on the continuity state of the circuit 11.

[0031] An RF antenna 15 is connected to an antenna terminal of the RFID IC chip 14 , and the RF antenna 15 is a sheet-like member similar to the RFID tag 12 , and constitutes the RFID tag 12 . Fig. 7 is a BB cross-sectional view of an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 7, RF antenna 15 is held at a position with an appropriate distance from the surface (structure) on which it is to be installed by non-conductive base 17. This allows RF antenna 15 to transmit and receive radio waves even if the surface on which RFID tag 12 is to be installed is made of a conductive material such as metal or CFRP, which does not transmit radio waves. The RFID tag 12 is installed, for example, by being affixed to the exterior surface of the aircraft 31. The RFID tag 12 is supplied with power wirelessly from an RFID reader 13, which will be described later, and uses this power to execute a process for detecting the continuity of the circuit 11, transmitting the detection result to the RFID reader 13 together with the unique identification information stored in the RFIDIC chip 14. The RFIDIC chip 14 is equipped with an interference prevention device, so that even if multiple RFID tags 12 are present within the radio wave transmission range of the RFID reader 13, the RFID reader 13 can read them all at once.

[0032] The RFID reader 13 wirelessly supplies power to the RFID tag 12 and receives information from the RFID tag 12. Specifically, the RFID reader 13 supplies power to the RFID tag 12 and transmits an instruction signal to the RFID tag 12 to execute a process to detect the continuity state of the circuit 11 and transmit the detection result. In response, the RFID IC chip 14 constituting the RFID tag 12 is charged with the received power, executes the detection process in accordance with the instruction signal, and transmits the detection result together with the unique identification information in the RFID IC chip 14 to the RFID reader 13. This allows the RFID reader 13 to read the continuity state of the circuit 11 detected by the RFID tag 12 at a specific location.

[0033] The RFID reader 13 is a handheld type as shown in FIG. 3, for example. An inspector can obtain the detection result of the RFID tag 12 by holding the RFID reader 13 and bringing it close to the RFID tag 12. The RFID reader 13 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3. For example, the RFID reader 13 may be installed at a predetermined position, and inspection may be performed when the aircraft 31 passes nearby. The RFID reader 13 may be installed in advance in a hangar or the like for the aircraft 31, and inspection may be performed after the aircraft 31 is stored. The RFID reader 13 may also be mounted on a drone to perform inspections.

[0034] In this way, by using the RFID tag 12 and the RFID reader 13, inspection can be performed more efficiently than visual inspection. This makes it possible to increase the inspection frequency and improve safety. accuracy The RFID tag count can be adjusted by adjusting the specifications of the detection circuit, which can reduce human variation during testing and improve testing quality. Furthermore, multiple RFID tags 12 can be read simultaneously with a single RFID reader 13, enabling parallel testing over a wide area in an extremely short time. Furthermore, testing can be performed without contact, eliminating the need for invasive procedures.

[0035] Next, the configuration of the exterior surface of the aircraft 31 will be described. First, a non-conductive paint (such as an insulating anti-corrosive paint) or a non-conductive coating is applied to the outer surface of the aircraft 31, forming an insulating region for the outer surface as a base (non-conductive layer). Then, the circuit 11 is formed on this insulating region, and the RFID tag 12 is installed. The circuit 11 is in close contact with the outer surface of the aircraft 31. Therefore, a structure is formed in which, from the outer surface of the aircraft 31 toward the outside, a non-conductive layer, a layer of the circuit 11 and RFID tag 12, and non-conductive air are layered in this order. In other words, the circuit 11 is electrically insulated by the non-conductive material. Because the layer of the circuit 11 and RFID tag 12, and each of the non-conductive layers are configured as thin films, the system is configured without causing significant irregularities on the outer surface of the aircraft 31. Figure 8 is an AA cross-sectional view of a circuit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The circuit 11 shown in Figure 8 is formed by conductive paint or conductive powder on a non-conductive layer (outside, on the outside of the structure of the aircraft 31) made of non-conductive paint or non-conductive coating. 9 is an AA cross-sectional view of a circuit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The circuit 11 shown in FIG. 9 is formed of a thin metal film or small diameter metal wire. The circuit 11 is fixed by an adhesive applied on a non-conductive layer of non-conductive paint or non-conductive coating. In addition, a predetermined area including the area where the circuit 11 and the RFID tag 12 are installed and other areas may be covered with a continuous non-conductive paint for structural protection. Fig. 10 is an AA cross-sectional view of a circuit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The circuit 11 shown in Fig. 10 is formed by conductive paint or conductive powder on a non-conductive layer (outside, outside the structure of the aircraft 31) made of non-conductive paint or non-conductive coating. The entire circuit 11 is covered with non-conductive paint for structural protection. Fig. 11 is an AA cross-sectional view of a circuit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The circuit 11 shown in Fig. 11 is formed from a thin metal film or small diameter metal wire. The circuit 11 is fixed by an adhesive applied on a non-conductive layer of non-conductive paint or non-conductive coating. The entire circuit 11 is covered with non-conductive paint for structural protection. By covering the circuit 11 with a non-conductive paint for structural protection, it is possible to suppress and smooth the surface unevenness while maintaining an economically valuable appearance. For this reason, it can be applied to moving objects that are sensitive to the effects of air resistance (for example, high-speed moving objects) and moving objects where appearance is important (for example, sports cars). Furthermore, a predetermined area including the area where the circuit 11 and RFID tag 12 are installed and other areas may be covered with a continuous non-conductive heat insulating material for heat retention. This can reduce and smooth out surface irregularities while maintaining the thermal environment inside the vehicle. Therefore, this method is applicable to vehicles that are sensitive to the effects of air resistance (for example, rockets and hydrogen-powered aircraft).

[0036] Examples of non-conductive coatings for structural protection include, but are not limited to, polyurethane enamels and epoxy primers.

[0037] Examples of non-conductive heat insulating materials for heat retention include, but are not limited to, foamed urethane heat insulating materials and glass wool.

[0038] It is preferable that the location where the RFID tag 12 is installed be marked after it has been covered with a non-conductive paint for structural protection, so that it can be recognized from the outside. It is also preferable that the installation location of the RFID tag 12 be recorded in advance in combination with the unique identification information in the RFIDIC chip 14 of the RFID tag 12.

[0039] Next, specific locations where the circuit 11 is installed will be described. Since the inspection system 10 detects damage to the outer surface of the aircraft 31, it is preferable to place the circuit 11 in a location where damage is likely to occur. Examples of locations where damage is likely to occur include cutout locations (edges of components) and locations where high stress occurs (locations where stress concentration is likely to occur). In other words, it is preferable to provide the circuit 11 around the cutout locations and stress concentration locations.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the circuit 11 is installed in an aircraft 31. FIG. 4 shows an example of a case where the circuit 11 is provided around a cutout position in the aircraft structure. As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit 11 is provided to surround a window (e.g., a passenger cabin window) 21 of the aircraft 31, a cockpit windshield 24 of the aircraft 31, a door 25, a door (emergency escape exit) 26, and an antenna mounting location 27 on the exterior surface. The circuit 11 may also be provided so as to pass near a fastener fastening portion (fastener portion) 28 on the exterior surface (an area where crack propagation is expected). The fastener fastening portion 28 is a joint portion between components that constitute the aircraft 31, and particularly refers to the area around an opening in the component and the portion equipped with a fastener 22 that is inserted therein.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a circuit 11 is installed in an aircraft 31. FIG. 5 is a view of the aircraft 31 as seen from below. FIG. 5 shows an example of a case where the circuit 11 is installed around a stress concentration point in the aircraft structure. As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit 11 is installed so as to surround a manhole 41. The circuit 11 is also installed so as to pass through the vicinity (area where crack propagation is expected) of each of a wing-fuselage joint 42, a landing gear attachment portion 43, and a metal fitting attachment portion 44. The manhole 41 is an opening for accessing the interior and is closed with a lid. The metal fitting is a metal fitting attached to the aircraft 31. For example, the vicinity refers to a range of 2.5 cm from the edge (or joint) of the portion where the circuit 11 is installed.

[0042] An example of a crack is shown in Fig. 6. When damage occurs as shown in Fig. 6, the circuit 11 is broken due to the damage, and this is detected by the RFID tag 12.

[0043] 4 and 5 may be applied to other moving bodies without being limited to the aircraft 31 as long as they have a similar configuration. Also, the installation position of the circuit 11 is not limited to the outer surface, but may be provided inside the moving body structure.

[0044] As described above, according to the inspection system of this embodiment, a closed circuit is formed by the conductive circuit 11, which is made of conductive paint, conductive powder, metal thin film, or small-diameter metal wire on the outer surface of a mobile object, and the RFID IC chip 14 of the RFID tag 12. Therefore, by detecting the continuity state (current value, resistance value, etc.) of the circuit 11 using the RFID IC chip 14 of the RFID tag 12, it is possible to detect the condition of cracks and the like on the outer surface of the mobile object. Since the conditions of multiple RFID tags 12 can be read at high speed at one time, inspection efficiency can be improved. This makes it possible to increase the frequency of inspections, which is expected to improve safety. Furthermore, since the sensor terminal 16, RF antenna 15, and RFIDIC chip 14 are held by a non-conductive base 17, remote inspection using the RFID reader 13 and RFIDIC chip 14 is possible even for inspection objects that do not transmit radio waves, such as metals and CFRP.

[0045] By using the circuit 11 and RFID tag 12 made of conductive paint, conductive powder, metal thin film or small diameter metal wire, it is possible to minimize the protrusion of the outer surface of the mobile object and suppress an increase in the air resistance of the mobile object.

[0046] The circuit 11 is made of conductive paint, conductive powder, thin metal film, or small diameter metal wire, so that the circuit 11 is cut along the outer surface of the moving object. However, when the outer surface of the moving object is slightly deformed, such as when it is distorted, the elasticity of the material allows the circuit 11 to maintain electrical continuity, preventing false detection of damage.

[0047] The circuit 11, the RFID tag 12, and the predetermined area around the circuit 11 and the RFID tag 12 on the outer surface of the mobile object, as well as other areas, are covered with a continuous non-conductive coating or a non-conductive insulating material, which can reduce unevenness on the surface and make it smooth. This also makes it possible to achieve both without compromising the cost efficiency and functionality of the appearance and insulation.

[0048] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0049] The inspection system described in each of the above-described embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows. The inspection system (10) according to the present disclosure is an inspection system applied to a mobile body (31), and comprises a conductive circuit (11) provided on an insulating paint or non-conductive coating on the structural surface of the mobile body and in close contact with the insulating paint or non-conductive coating, a sensor terminal (16) connected to the conductive circuit, an RF antenna terminal connected to an RF antenna (15), an RFID IC chip (14) for detecting the conductivity of the conductive circuit, and a non-conductive base (17) for holding the sensor terminal, the RF antenna, and the RFID IC chip in appropriate positions.

[0050] The inspection system disclosed herein comprises a conductive circuit disposed on an insulating paint or non-conductive coating on the structural surface of a mobile object and in close contact with the insulating paint or non-conductive coating, a sensor terminal connected to the conductive circuit, an RF antenna terminal connected to an RF antenna, and an RFID IC chip that detects the continuity of the conductive circuit. Therefore, by detecting the continuity of the conductive circuit (disconnection, resistance, etc.) with the RFID IC chip, it is possible to detect conditions such as cracks on the surface of the mobile object. Since the RFID IC chip can read the condition, inspections can be made more efficient. This makes it possible to increase the frequency of inspections, which is expected to improve safety. Furthermore, because the sensor terminal, RF antenna, and RFIDIC chip are held by a non-conductive base, remote inspection using an RFID reader and RFIDIC chip is possible even for inspection objects that do not transmit radio waves, such as metals and CFRP.

[0051] By using a conductive circuit and an RFID IC chip that are placed on the insulating paint or non-conductive coating on the structural surface of the moving body and are in close contact with the insulating paint or non-conductive coating, it is possible to reduce the steps on the surface of the moving body and prevent an increase in the air resistance of the moving body.

[0052] The conductive circuit is formed using an insulating paint or non-conductive coating, which allows the circuit to be broken according to the surface of the moving object. At the same time, the elasticity of the material allows the circuit to be maintained in the event of minor deformation such as distortion of the moving object's surface, thereby reducing false detection.

[0053] In the inspection system according to the present disclosure, the insulating paint or non-conductive coating may have an interface strength that allows it to adhere to the moving body.

[0054] According to the inspection system of the present disclosure, the insulating paint or non-conductive coating has the interfacial strength to adhere to the moving body, and therefore the insulating paint or non-conductive coating can form a layer that protects the structure of the moving body from corrosion and external damage.

[0055] In the inspection system according to the present disclosure, the conductive circuit may be formed from a conductive paint that is an organic compound solvent that has conductive molecules or conductive simple atoms as a solute and adheres to the insulating paint or non-conductive coating when cured.

[0056] According to the inspection system of the present disclosure, the conductive circuit is formed from a conductive paint that has conductive molecules or conductive simple atoms as solutes and is an organic compound solvent that adheres to the insulating paint or non-conductive coating when hardened, thereby forming a circuit that is not only conductive but also has adhesion when hardened.

[0057] In the inspection system according to the present disclosure, the conductive circuit may be formed from a conductive powder that can be attached to an insulating paint or a non-conductive coating and in which conductive molecules or conductive simple atoms account for 50% or more of the composition.

[0058] According to the inspection system of the present disclosure, the conductive circuit can be attached to an insulating paint or a non-conductive coating, and is formed from a conductive powder in which conductive molecules or conductive simple atoms account for 50% or more of the composition, thereby forming a circuit that is not only conductive but also has the property of being able to be attached during formation.

[0059] In the inspection system according to the present disclosure, the conductive circuit may be formed by a metal thin film having a thickness of 70 μm or less or a metal wire having a diameter of 200 μm or less, which is bonded to an insulating paint or a non-conductive coating via an adhesive.

[0060] According to the inspection system of the present disclosure, the conductive circuit is formed by a metal thin film having a thickness of 70 μm or less or a metal wire having a diameter of 200 μm or less that is bonded to an insulating paint or non-conductive coating via an adhesive, thereby controlling the dimensions of the metal thin film or metal wire to a certain level or less so that the interfacial strength of the adhesive is greater, thereby ensuring reliable detection of damage.

[0061] In the inspection system according to the present disclosure, the RFID IC chip may receive power and transmit and receive signals wirelessly via an RF antenna to detect whether or not a break has occurred in the conductive circuit.

[0062] According to the inspection system of the present disclosure, cracks on the surface of a moving object can be detected by detecting whether or not a break has occurred in the circuit using an RFID IC chip.

[0063] In the inspection system according to the present disclosure, the predetermined area including the area where the conductive circuit and the RFID IC chip are installed and other areas may be covered with a non-conductive material.

[0064] According to the inspection system of the present disclosure, predetermined areas including the installation areas of the conductive circuit and RFID IC chip and other areas are covered with a non-conductive material, so that unevenness on the surface of the moving body can be suppressed and smoothed.

[0065] The inspection system according to the present disclosure may include an RFID reader (13) that supplies power to the RFID IC chip and transmits and receives information via an RF antenna.

[0066] According to the inspection system of the present disclosure, the RFID reader can read the continuity state of the conductive circuit detected by the RFID IC chip.

[0067] The inspection system according to the present disclosure may include a non-conductive base for holding the RF antenna and the RFID IC chip. According to the inspection system according to the present disclosure, a non-conductive base of appropriate dimensions is applied between the RF antenna and the structure to be inspected, so that remote inspection using an RFID reader and an RFID IC chip is possible even for inspection objects that do not transmit radio waves, such as metals and CFRP, and the power receiving and signal transmitting / receiving capabilities from the RF reader can be improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10: Inspection system 11:Circuit (conductive circuit) 12: RFID tags 13: RFID reader 14: RFID chip 15: RFID antenna 20: Fuselage skin 21: Window 22: Zipper 23: Locations 24: Cockpit windshield 27: Mounting location 31: Aircraft 41: Manhole 42:Joining part 43: Mounting part 44: Metal fitting attachment part

Claims

1. An inspection system applied to a moving object, a conductive circuit provided on an insulating paint or a non-conductive coating on a structural surface of the moving body and in close contact with the insulating paint or the non-conductive coating; an RFID IC chip including a sensor terminal connected to the conductive circuit and an RF antenna terminal connected to an RF antenna, for detecting a continuity state of the conductive circuit; Equipped with An inspection system, wherein the conductive circuit, the RFID IC chip, and predetermined areas including areas where the conductive circuit and the RFID IC chip are installed and other areas are covered with a non-conductive material.

2. The inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating paint or the non-conductive coating has an interface strength that allows it to adhere to the moving body.

3. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the conductive circuit is formed from a conductive paint that is an organic compound solvent that has conductive molecules or conductive simple atoms as a solute and adheres to the insulating paint or the non-conductive coating when hardened.

4. 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the conductive circuit is formed from a conductive powder that can be attached to the insulating paint or the non-conductive coating and whose composition is made up of conductive molecules or conductive simple atoms that account for 50% or more of the composition.

5. 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the conductive circuit is formed by a metal thin film having a thickness of 70 μm or less or a metal wire having a diameter of 200 μm or less, which is bonded to the insulating paint or the non-conductive coating via an adhesive.

6. 6. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the RFID IC chip receives power and transmits and receives signals wirelessly via the RF antenna, and detects whether or not a break has occurred in the conductive circuit.

7. 6. The inspection system according to claim 1, further comprising an RFID reader that supplies power to the RFID IC chip and transmits and receives information via the RF antenna.

8. The inspection system according to claim 1 , further comprising a non-conductive base for holding the RF antenna and the RFID IC chip.

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