Overhead power distribution facility design system and overhead power distribution facility design program

Abstract

To make it possible to imagine an arranged state of an overhead distribution facility to be constructed in advance.SOLUTION: An overhead distribution facility design system comprises: a facility information database 3 for storing facility information including an arranged position of an existing overhead distribution facility; a compliance item database 4 for storing compliance items to be complied with when installing an overhead distribution facility; a smartphone 2 that photographs periphery of an arranging site candidate of an overhead distribution facility to be constructed to generate a peripheral picture; and a design server 5 that calculates, when the position information of the arranging site candidate and the peripheral picture are input, design items including the arrangement position of the overhead distribution facility to be constructed and its peripheral overhead distribution facilities if required, so as to comply with the compliance items on the basis of the position information, the peripheral picture, and the facility information, to generate an image picture when the overhead distribution facility to be constructed is arranged based on the calculation result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an overhead power distribution facility design system and an overhead power distribution facility design program for designing overhead power distribution facilities such as utility poles and power lines. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, when designing overhead distribution facilities, engineers with specialized knowledge and experience visit the site and negotiate with landowners to determine the location of utility poles and guy lines, if necessary. In addition to installing or replacing utility poles, if electric wires need to be re-wired, the engineers must also assess the condition of the adjacent overhead distribution facilities that support the electric wires. This involves determining the strength of the utility poles, the height above ground of the existing facilities, including the electric wires, and the distance between the existing facilities and other objects. The engineers then design the new or replacement utility poles, the height above ground of the electric wires and equipment, and the distance between the existing facilities and other objects to comply with the required regulations. Based on the contracted power and power usage of each customer, the engineers also design the diameter of the electric wires and the transformer capacity (size of the overhead distribution facilities) to comply with the required regulations.

[0003] As described above, conventionally, overhead power distribution facilities have been designed manually, which not only requires a great deal of labor and time, but also risks variations in design quality depending on the skill of the engineer. For this reason, an overhead line installation management system is known that enables efficient design and construction planning based on a power supply plan when installing overhead lines (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This system includes an existing facility database and a construction standards database, and, based on the power supply plan, refers to the databases to select the electric wires to be installed, as well as to select and design the installation method and route. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-348459 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When installing or replacing utility poles or guy lines, landowners want to know in advance where and how the poles and guy lines will be installed. Being able to visualize the installation state in advance makes it easier to obtain approval from the landowner and allows for installation in a location desirable to the landowner. However, while the overhead line installation management system described in Patent Document 1 enables efficient design and construction planning, it does not allow for a prior visualization of the installation state.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an overhead distribution facility design system and an overhead distribution facility design program that enable users to visualize in advance the installation state of the overhead distribution facility that is the subject of construction work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is an overhead distribution equipment design system characterized by comprising: an equipment information storage means for storing equipment information including the installation location of existing overhead distribution equipment; a compliance matter storage means for storing compliance matters that must be observed when installing overhead distribution equipment; a photographing means for photographing the surroundings of a candidate installation location for the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed to generate a surrounding image; and a calculation means for, when the location information of the candidate installation location and the surrounding image are input, calculating design matters including the installation locations of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed and, if necessary, surrounding overhead distribution equipment based on the location information, the surrounding image, and the equipment information so as to comply with the compliance matters, and generating an image of what the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed will look like when installed based on the calculation results.

[0008] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the overhead distribution equipment design system described in claim 1, the calculation means generates an image as the image showing the state when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed in the surrounding image.

[0009] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the overhead distribution equipment design system described in claim 1 or 2, the calculation means generates, as the image, an image showing the planar state when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed.

[0010] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the overhead distribution equipment design system described in claims 1 to 3, the photographing means is provided with a display unit that displays an image, and the calculation means displays the image on the display unit.

[0011] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the overhead distribution equipment design system described in claims 1 to 4, at least one of the contracted power and the amount of power used by each customer is stored as the equipment information.

[0012] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the overhead power distribution equipment design system described in claims 1 to 5, the calculation means uses a design learning model that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that when the location information of the potential installation location and the surrounding image are input, the design items that comply with the compliance items are output.

[0013] The invention of claim 7 is an overhead distribution equipment design program that causes a computer to function as: an equipment information storage means that stores equipment information including the installation location of existing overhead distribution equipment; a compliance matter storage means that stores compliance matters that must be observed when installing overhead distribution equipment; and a calculation means that, when location information and a surrounding image of a candidate installation location of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed are input, calculates design matters including the installation locations of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed and, if necessary, surrounding overhead distribution equipment based on the location information, the surrounding image, and the equipment information so as to comply with the compliance matters, and generates an image of what the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed will look like when installed based on the calculation results.

[0014] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the overhead power distribution equipment design program of claim 7, the calculation means uses a design learning model that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that when the location information of the potential installation location and the surrounding image are input, the design items that comply with the compliance items are output. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the inventions of claims 1 and 7, design specifications for overhead distribution equipment to be constructed are calculated so as to comply with the requirements, based on location information and surrounding images of candidate installation locations for the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed, and equipment information for existing overhead distribution equipment. Then, based on the calculation results, an image of what the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed will look like when installed is generated, allowing landowners, designers, and others to visualize the installation state of the overhead distribution equipment in advance. As a result, it becomes possible to easily obtain approval from landowners, install the equipment in locations desired by the landowners, or allow designers to verify the calculation results and create a more appropriate design.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 2, an image showing the state when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed in the surrounding image is generated as a conceptual image, so it is possible to grasp how the captured surrounding image will change when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed. In other words, it is possible to easily grasp the state before and after the installation of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed, which increases convenience for landowners, designers, etc.

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 3, an image showing the plan view when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed is generated as an image, so that it is possible to understand how the plan view will change when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed, thereby providing greater convenience to landowners, designers, etc.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 4, the generated image is displayed on the display unit of the photographing means, so that after photographing the area around the candidate installation location for the overhead distribution equipment with the photographing means, the image can be displayed on the display unit of the photographing means on the spot. In other words, since the image can be photographed and viewed on site at the candidate installation location, it is more convenient for landowners, designers, and the like.

[0019] According to the invention described in claim 5, the contracted power and power usage of each customer are stored as equipment information, and the design items for the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed are calculated based on this information, making it possible to calculate the design items more appropriately.

[0020] According to the inventions described in claims 6 and 8, design items for overhead power distribution equipment and other construction targets are output using a machine-learned design learning model, making it possible to calculate the design items more appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overhead power distribution facility design system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a design server of the overhead power distribution facility design system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of the overhead power distribution facility design system of FIG. 1 taken with a smartphone. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a first conceptual image generated by the overhead power distribution facility design system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second conceptual image generated by the overhead power distribution facility design system of FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a design learning model of the design server of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

[0023] 1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overhead power distribution facility design system 1 according to this embodiment. This overhead power distribution facility design system 1 is a system for designing overhead power distribution facilities such as utility poles P and electric wires L, and in this embodiment, a case where an electric power company designs overhead power distribution facilities will be described.

[0024] This overhead power distribution equipment design system 1 mainly comprises a smartphone (photography means) 2, an equipment information database (equipment information storage means) 3, a compliance matters database (compliance matters storage means) 4, and a design server (computation means) 5.

[0025] Smartphone 2 has a configuration equivalent to that of a commercially available, existing multi-function mobile device and is equipped with a camera function. Carried by an electric power company engineer (designer) M or the like, smartphone 2 captures images of the area surrounding a candidate installation location for overhead distribution equipment to be constructed, generating a surrounding image. It also has a touch panel (display) that can display images and text and input information and commands. Furthermore, it has a GPS function for detecting its own location information (latitude and longitude), enabling it to acquire location information and surrounding images of the candidate installation location. In other words, in this embodiment, when engineer M uses smartphone 2 to capture images of the area surrounding the candidate installation location for overhead distribution equipment to be constructed, i.e., near the location where new installation or replacement is planned, the smartphone 2 generates a surrounding image and acquires the location information of the smartphone 2, i.e., engineer M.

[0026] Here, the position of engineer M and the position of the installation location candidate (overhead distribution equipment to be constructed) are not at the same location, but the installation location candidate may be identified by referring to equipment information in the design server 5, which will be described later. Alternatively, the installation location candidate may be specified in a peripheral image, or a photograph may be taken with a sign attached to the installation location candidate, so that the installation location candidate can be identified on the peripheral image.

[0027] The position information and surrounding image of the installation location candidate thus generated and acquired are transmitted to the design server 5, whereby the design is carried out as described below.

[0028] The facility information database 3 is a database that stores facility information including the locations of existing overhead distribution facilities. That is, it stores a distribution system diagram (plan view) showing the locations of overhead distribution facilities such as utility poles P and electric wires L on a map, as well as the size and capacity of each overhead distribution facility, such as the strength, type (concrete pole or metal pole, etc.) and length of utility pole P, the diameter (allowable current value) of electric wires L, and the capacity of pole-mounted transformers.

[0029] Furthermore, the contracted power and power usage (monthly average value, etc.) of each customer are stored, and these data and information are transmitted and stored from a server that manages the contracts and a server that manages the power usage and charges, etc. Here, such facility information database 3 may be configured as a plurality of databases, or may be configured as an integrated database with the compliance matters database 4, etc.

[0030] The compliance database 4 is a database that stores compliance matters that must be observed when installing overhead distribution equipment from the viewpoint of safety and security, and stores legal regulations, company regulations, etc. Specifically, it stores the allowable strength and multiple specified lengths for each type of utility pole P, the allowable current value for each diameter of electric wire L, and the capacity for each type of pole-mounted transformer. In addition, for each overhead distribution equipment, it stores the minimum separation distance from adjacent objects (other overhead distribution equipment, buildings, trees, etc.), the minimum installation height from the ground, the installation interval of electric wire L, etc.

[0031] The design server 5 is a server that designs the installation location of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed and generates an image of what the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed will look like when installed, and as shown in Figure 2, it mainly comprises an input unit 51, a communication unit 52, a calculation task (calculation means) 53, a learning task 54, a design learning model 55, a design performance database 56, and a central processing unit 57 that controls the above.

[0032] The input unit 51 is an interface for inputting various information and commands, for example, inputting a start command for starting the calculation task 53 at any timing. The communication unit 52 is an interface for communicating with the outside, for example, sending and receiving information and data to and from the smartphone 2, and obtaining information and data from the facility information database 3 and the compliance item database 4.

[0033] Calculation task 53 is a program task for calculating design items, including the installation location of overhead distribution equipment, etc., to be constructed, and generating image images. It is activated when location information and a surrounding image of the candidate installation location are received from smartphone 2. First, based on the location information and surrounding image of the candidate installation location of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed (hereinafter referred to as the "construction target equipment") and the equipment information of the existing overhead distribution equipment, it calculates design items, including the installation locations of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed and, as necessary, surrounding overhead distribution equipment (hereinafter referred to as the "peripheral equipment"), so as to comply with the compliance requirements. In other words, when the construction target equipment is to be constructed near the installation location candidate, the installation location, size, capacity, etc. of the construction target equipment are designed to comply with the compliance requirements, and the installation location, size, capacity, etc. of the peripheral equipment are designed as well.

[0034] For example, when replacing utility pole P in Figure 1, an image of the surrounding area is captured with utility pole P as the target facility, and the image and location information, as shown in Figure 3, are received. The location, size, and capacity of a new utility pole P are then designed for installation at the location where utility pole P is currently installed, i.e., the candidate installation location. The image analysis of the surrounding area is performed to obtain the locations and dimensions of the facilities and buildings in the image, and the location, type, and length of utility pole P are designed so as to comply with requirements such as the allowable strength of utility pole P and the minimum clearance from adjacent objects. At the same time, the design of surrounding facilities that require modification or new construction in conjunction with the design of utility pole P is also performed. For example, the diameter, installation location (installation route), and installation height of electric wire L, which is a peripheral facility, are designed so as to comply with requirements such as the allowable current value, minimum clearance from adjacent objects, and minimum installation height from the ground. Similarly, the installation location, capacity, and installation height of a pole-mounted transformer, etc., are designed as necessary for surrounding facilities.

[0035] When designing this, the contracted power and power usage of surrounding consumers are taken into consideration and the design is made to comply with the requirements. In other words, the diameter of the electric wire L and the capacity of the pole transformer are designed to comply with the requirements such as the allowable current value of the electric wire L and the allowable power of the pole transformer in relation to the contracted power and power usage. Furthermore, the design is made to minimize construction costs. For example, the length, strength, and type of utility pole, the diameter of the electric wire L, and the capacity of the pole transformer are designed to be neither excessive nor excessive.

[0036] When performing such design and calculation, the type of facility to be constructed and the details of the construction, such as replacement or new construction, may be specified and input from smartphone 2 to activate calculation task 53, or the details of the construction may be determined by calculation task 53 according to predetermined rules. For example, as described above, when only an existing utility pole P is photographed in the peripheral image, the details of the construction may be determined to be the replacement of utility pole P. Also, as described above, when the facility to be constructed is an existing overhead distribution facility, the installation position of the existing overhead distribution facility may be a candidate installation location, but as described above, a location specified in the peripheral image or a location with a sign on the peripheral image may be a candidate installation location.

[0037] Next, based on the calculation results, an image is generated of what the construction target facility will look like when it is installed. That is, an image is generated that simulates what the construction target facility and surrounding facilities will look like when they are installed according to the calculation results and design. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, an image showing the state when the construction target facility is installed in the surrounding image from the smartphone 2 is generated as a first image G1. That is, in the surrounding image (shown by the solid line in the figure) that captures the state before construction, i.e., the current state, a first image G1 is generated that shows how the construction target facility and, if necessary, its surrounding facilities (shown by the dashed line in the figure) will be installed after construction.

[0038] Furthermore, an image showing the planar state when the construction target facility is installed is generated as a second image G2, as shown in Fig. 5. That is, a plan view showing how the construction target facility and peripheral facilities (facilities shown by dashed lines in the figure) will be installed after construction is generated on a power distribution system diagram (solid lines in the figure) showing the state before construction stored in the facility information database 3 is generated as the second image G2.

[0039] The image images G1 and G2 thus generated are transmitted to the smartphone 2, whereby the image images G1 and G2 are displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 2.

[0040] When location information and surrounding images of a potential installation location are input, the calculation task 53 uses a design learning model 55 that has been machine-learned based on past performance data to output design items that comply with compliance requirements based on this location information, surrounding images, and equipment information of existing overhead distribution equipment. This design learning model 55 is created by a learning task 54.

[0041] That is, learning task 54 uses past performance data recorded and accumulated in design performance database 56 to create design learning model 55 using a known machine learning algorithm such as a neural network. This design performance database 56 is a database in which performance data including design items designed by experts who design overhead distribution equipment to comply with compliance requirements is recorded and accumulated based on input information such as location information of potential installation locations, surrounding images, and equipment information. Note that the past performance data includes data created based on the location information, surrounding images, and equipment information of actual installation location candidates and design items actually designed by experts who design overhead distribution equipment, as well as data created through pre-training, etc.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, this learning task 54 uses machine learning and deep learning using a neural network to create a neural network based on performance data recorded in a design performance database 56, with the input layer including location information, surrounding images, and equipment information of potential installation locations, the output layer including design items that comply with compliance requirements, and an intermediate layer for analytical processing from the input layer to the output layer.The learning task 54 then uses the performance data of the design learning model 55 as learning data to learn various parameters in the intermediate layer.In other words, the learning task 54 learns various parameters in the intermediate layer so that appropriate design items are calculated based on the location information, surrounding images, and equipment information of potential installation locations.

[0043] As described above, according to this overhead distribution facility design system 1, design details for the overhead distribution facility to be constructed are calculated so as to comply with the requirements, based on location information and surrounding images of candidate installation locations for the overhead distribution facility to be constructed, and on facility information for existing overhead distribution facility. Based on the calculation results, images G1 and G2 of what the overhead distribution facility to be constructed will look like when installed are generated, allowing landowners, engineer M, and others to visualize in advance what the overhead distribution facility will look like. This makes it easier to obtain approval from landowners, install the facility in a location desirable to the landowners, or allow engineer M to verify the calculation results and perform a more appropriate design.

[0044] Furthermore, a first image G1 is generated in the surrounding image, showing the state when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed, so it is possible to grasp how the captured surrounding image will change when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed. In other words, it is possible to easily grasp the state before and after the installation of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed, which increases convenience for landowners, engineers M, and the like. For example, it becomes possible to easily and accurately confirm and verify whether the overhead distribution equipment is being installed in a location desirable to the landowner, whether it is being designed appropriately, and so on.

[0045] Furthermore, a second image G2 is generated that shows the plan view when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed, so it is possible to grasp how the plan view will change when the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed, which increases convenience for landowners, engineers M, and the like. For example, it becomes possible to easily and properly confirm and verify whether electric wires L, etc., are straddling the landowner's land, whether the appropriate distance from the overhead distribution equipment is ensured, and so on.

[0046] Furthermore, since the generated image images G1 and G2 are displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 2, after taking a photograph of the area around the candidate installation location for the overhead distribution equipment with the smartphone 2, the image images G1 and G2 can be displayed on the spot on the touch panel of the smartphone 2. In other words, since the image images G1 and G2 can be taken on-site at the candidate installation location and viewed, it is more convenient for the landowner, the engineer M, and the like. For example, it becomes possible to negotiate on the spot to change the installation location.

[0047] On the other hand, the contracted power and power usage of each customer are stored as facility information, and the design items for the overhead distribution facility and other facilities to be constructed are calculated based on this information, making it possible to more accurately calculate the design items. Furthermore, the design items for the overhead distribution facility and other facilities to be constructed are output using the machine-learned design learning model 55, making it possible to more accurately calculate the design items.

[0048] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes within the scope of the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. For example, while the above embodiments have described a case where a smartphone 2 is used as the photographing means, a photographing device or camera may be used as the photographing means, and surrounding images captured by the photographing device may be transmitted and input to the design server 5 via a communication terminal such as a personal computer. Similarly, location information of a potential installation location (overhead power distribution equipment to be constructed) may be specified on a power distribution system diagram, and transmitted and input to the design server 5. Furthermore, when photographing the surroundings of a potential installation location, a scale may also be photographed so that the positions and dimensions of equipment, buildings, etc. in the surrounding images can be easily determined during image analysis.

[0049] On the other hand, the above-described design server 5 and overhead distribution facility design system 1 may be configured by installing the following overhead distribution facility design program on a general-purpose computer. That is, the overhead distribution facility design program causes the computer to function as: facility information storage means (facility information database 3) that stores facility information including the installation locations of existing overhead distribution facilities; compliance matters storage means (compliance matters database 4) that stores compliance matters to be observed when installing overhead distribution facilities; and calculation means (calculation task 53) that, upon input of location information and surrounding images of candidate installation locations for the overhead distribution facilities to be constructed, calculates design matters including the installation locations of the overhead distribution facilities to be constructed and, if necessary, surrounding overhead distribution facilities, so as to comply with the compliance matters, based on the location information, surrounding images, and facility information, and generates, based on the calculation results, images G1 and G2 of what the overhead distribution facilities to be constructed will look like when installed. The calculation means uses a design learning model 55 that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so as to output design matters that comply with the compliance matters when the location information and surrounding images of the candidate installation locations are input. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Overhead power distribution equipment design system 2. Smartphone (photography method) 3. Facility information database (facility information storage means) 4 Compliance matters database (means for storing compliance matters) 5. Design server (calculation means) 53 Calculation Task (Calculation Means) 54 Learning Tasks 55 Design Learning Models 56 Design performance database G1 First Image G2 Second Image P Utility pole (overhead power distribution equipment) L Electric wire (overhead power distribution equipment) M Technician

Claims

1. an equipment information storage means for storing equipment information including the installation locations of existing overhead distribution equipment; a compliance matter storage means for storing compliance matters to be observed when installing overhead power distribution equipment; an imaging means for capturing an image of the surroundings of a candidate installation location for the overhead power distribution facility to be constructed, and generating a surrounding image; a computing means for, when the location information of the installation location candidate and the surrounding image are input, computing design items including the installation locations of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed and, if necessary, surrounding overhead distribution equipment, based on the location information, the surrounding image, and the equipment information so as to comply with the compliance items, and generating an image of what the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed will look like when constructed, based on the computation result; An overhead power distribution facility design system comprising:

2. the calculation means generates, as the conceptual image, an image showing a state in which the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed is installed in the surrounding image; 2. The overhead power distribution facility design system according to claim 1 .

3. The calculation means generates, as the conceptual image, an image showing a plan view when the overhead power distribution equipment to be constructed is installed.

3. The overhead power distribution facility design system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the photographing means includes a display unit for displaying an image; The computing means causes the image to be displayed on the display unit.

4. The overhead power distribution facility design system according to claim 1, wherein:

5. At least one of the contracted power and the amount of power used by each customer is stored as the facility information.

5. The overhead power distribution facility design system according to claim 1, wherein the overhead power distribution facility design system is a system for designing overhead power distribution facilities.

6. the calculation means uses a design learning model that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that, when the position information of the installation location candidate and the surrounding image are input, the design items that comply with the compliance items are output.

6. The overhead power distribution facility design system according to claim 1, wherein:

7. Computer, an equipment information storage means for storing equipment information including the installation locations of existing overhead distribution equipment; a compliance matter storage means for storing compliance matters to be observed when installing overhead power distribution equipment; a computing means for computing design items including the locations of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed and, if necessary, the surrounding overhead distribution equipment, in compliance with the compliance requirements, based on the location information, the surrounding image, and the equipment information, when location information and a surrounding image of a potential installation location of the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed are input, and generating an image of what the overhead distribution equipment to be constructed will look like when installed, based on the computation results; An overhead power distribution facility design program characterized by functioning as

8. the calculation means uses a design learning model that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that, when the position information of the installation location candidate and the surrounding image are input, the design items that comply with the compliance items are output.

8. The overhead power distribution facility design program according to claim 7.

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