Water depth measurement support system

Abstract

To provide a water depth measurement support system capable of acquiring a current water depth in an access route to an isolated area in real time.SOLUTION: A water depth measurement support system 1 to be functioned in flood damage where an isolated area is formed in a submerged area, includes a measuring mobile body 2 moving along an access route to the isolated area, a water gauge 5 for measuring a water level at a specific location, and a management device 4. The measuring mobile object 2 includes at least one water depth gauge 3 for measuring a water depth and a GPS sensor 24 for identifying a self-location. The management device 4 records water depth data in the access route obtained by movement of the measuring mobile object 2 as initial water depth data, records the water level at the specific location when the initial water depth data is acquired, as an initial water level, and corrects the initial water depth data according to a change in the water level at the specific location to create current water depth data in the access route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water depth measurement support system that functions during flood disasters, and a measurement mobile body suitable for this water depth measurement support system.

Background Art

[0002] When flood disasters occur due to tsunamis caused by earthquakes or floods of rivers due to heavy rain, isolated areas may be formed within the flooded area. The isolated area may be a building or a specific area. When there are hospitals, shelters, etc. in the isolated area, it is necessary to transport supplies such as drugs and food, and personnel such as medical staff to the isolated area.

[0003] Although it is optimal to use a helicopter for transporting supplies and personnel to the isolated area as described above, if there is no heliport in the isolated area, a helicopter cannot be used. Also, when there are many isolated areas, it takes too much time to transport supplies and personnel to all the isolated areas by helicopter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As an alternative to using a helicopter, it is conceivable to use a small motorboat, a water scooter, a four-wheel buggy, etc. as a rescue mobile body. Motorboats and water scooters can be used when the water depth is deep, and four-wheel buggies can be used when the water depth is shallow. Therefore, there is a desire to accurately grasp the water depth of the flooded area in order to determine which type of rescue mobile body to use.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method of calculating the water depth distribution by measuring the ground elevation in advance using aerial laser measurement and subtracting the ground elevation from the water level distribution during flooding.

[0007] However, during earthquakes, ground uplift and subsidence can occur, and calculation methods using pre-measured ground elevation may not be able to accurately determine water depth. Furthermore, ground deformation can also occur during river flooding.

[0008] Furthermore, because water depth changes over time, even if motorboats and jet skis are usable at one point, only ATVs may be usable later on.

[0009] Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide a depth measurement support system that can grasp the current water depth in real time along access routes to isolated areas. Furthermore, this disclosure also aims to provide a mobile measurement unit suitable for this depth measurement support system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This disclosure provides a water depth measurement support system that functions during floods in which isolated areas are formed within a flooded area, comprising: a measuring mobile body that moves along an access route to the isolated area and includes at least one depth gauge for measuring water depth and a GPS sensor for determining its own position; a water level gauge for measuring the water level at a specific location; and a management device that records the water depth data obtained along the access route by the movement of the measuring mobile body as initial water depth data, records the water level at the specific location when the initial water depth data was obtained as the initial water level, and corrects the initial water depth data in accordance with changes in the water level at the specific location to create current water depth data along the access route.

[0011] Furthermore, this disclosure provides a measuring mobile body comprising: an array jig extending in the width direction of the measuring mobile body; a plurality of depth gauges for measuring water depth, attached to the array jig so as to be arranged at a predetermined pitch; and a GPS sensor for determining its own position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, a depth measurement support system is provided that can grasp the current water depth in real time along an access route to an isolated area, and a mobile measurement unit suitable for this depth measurement support system is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a water depth measurement support system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a plan view of the measuring mobile device, and Figure 2B is a rear view of the measuring mobile device. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the support column to which the water level gauge is attached. [Figure 4] This is a map showing flooded and isolated areas. [Figure 5] This is an example of a navigation monitor screen on a rescue vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Figure 1 shows a water depth measurement support system 1 according to one embodiment. This water depth measurement support system 1 functions during floods when isolated areas 71 are formed within a flooded area 72, as shown in Figure 4. In the example in Figure 4, the isolated area 71 is adjacent to a mountain 73. In the flooded area 72, roads 74, 75, etc., are submerged. Note that the isolated area 71 includes not only areas where traffic routes to surrounding areas are completely cut off, but also areas where traffic routes to surrounding areas remain but are extremely long detours.

[0015] Specifically, the water depth measurement support system 1 includes a management device 4, a measurement mobile unit 2, and a rescue mobile unit 6, as shown in Figure 1. The management device 4 is installed, for example, in a location where flooding is not expected (e.g., inside a building built on high ground or on an upper floor of a multi-story building). The measurement mobile unit 2 and the rescue mobile unit 6 are small motorboats, jet skis, ATVs, etc., that can move through the flooded area 72.

[0016] The management device 4 is connected to a wireless communication device 41, and the measurement mobile unit 2 and the rescue mobile unit 6 are equipped with wireless communication devices 21 and 61, respectively. In other words, the management device 4 can communicate wirelessly with the controller 22 mounted on the measurement mobile unit 2 via wireless communication devices 41 and 21, and can also communicate wirelessly with the controller 62 mounted on the rescue mobile unit 6 via wireless communication devices 41 and 61. This wireless communication may be direct wireless communication or wireless communication via the internet.

[0017] Furthermore, the water depth measurement support system 1 includes at least one water level gauge 5 that measures the water level at a specific location. The water level gauge 5 is connected to a wireless communication device 51, and the water level data related to the water level measured by the water level gauge 5, along with the measurement time, is transmitted to the management device 4 via wireless communication through the wireless communication devices 51 and 41.

[0018] Regarding the management device 4 and the controllers 22, 62, the functions of the elements disclosed in this specification can be executed using a circuit or a processing circuit including a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a conventional circuit, and / or a combination thereof that is configured or programmed to execute the disclosed functions. Since the processor includes transistors and other circuits, it is regarded as a processing circuit or a circuit. In the present disclosure, a circuit, a unit, or a means is hardware that executes the listed functions or hardware that is programmed to execute the listed functions. The hardware may be the hardware disclosed in this specification or other known hardware that is programmed or configured to execute the listed functions. When the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuit, the circuit, the means, or the unit is a combination of hardware and software, and the software is used for the configuration of the hardware and / or the processor.

[0019] The measurement mobile body 2 is for measuring the initial water depth after a flood occurs. Specifically, in addition to the wireless communicator 21 and the controller 22 described above, the measurement mobile body 2 includes a navigation monitor 23, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor 24, and at least one water depth gauge 3. These are connected to each other by a bus.

[0020] The GPS sensor 24 identifies its own position. Based on the own position identified by the GPS sensor 24, the controller 22 causes the navigation monitor 23 to display the position and orientation of the measurement mobile body 2 on a map.

[0021] The measurement mobile body 2 moves along at least one access route to the isolated area 71. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a first access route 81 for a four-wheel buggy and a second access route 82 for a motorboat or a water scooter are set. In FIG. 4, the first access route 81 and the second access route 82 are straight lines, but the first access route 81 and the second access route 82 may be broken lines (a combination of a plurality of straight lines) or curves, or a combination of one or more straight lines and curves.

[0022] The first access route 81 is a route passing through a relatively high-altitude place among the flooded ground. In the present embodiment, the first access route 81 is set on the flooded road 74. The second access route 82 is a route passing through a relatively low-altitude place (for example, a paddy field, etc.) among the flooded ground. The first access route 81 and the second access route 82 can be determined based on, for example, the ground elevation data before the flood disaster.

[0023] Regarding the water depth meter 3, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the measurement mobile body 2 includes a plurality of water depth meters 3. Further, the measurement mobile body 2 includes a mobile body main body 20 and an array jig 31 attached to the rear part of the mobile body main body 20. As shown in FIG. 2A, in the present embodiment, a controller 22 and a wireless communicator 21 are provided in the mobile body main body 20, and a GPS sensor 24 is provided in the array jig 31. For example, the GPS sensor 24 is arranged at the center of the array jig 31.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the array jig 31 extends in the width direction (the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction) of the measurement mobile body 2. The water depth meters 3 are attached to the array jig 31 so as to be arranged in the width direction of the measurement mobile body 2 at a predetermined pitch. For example, the length of the array jig 31 is 5 m or more, and the water depth meters 3 are attached to the 5 m or more range of the array jig 31 at a pitch of 10 cm or less.

[0025] The array jig 31 does not necessarily have to be attached to the rear of the mobile body 20. For example, the array jig 31 may be attached to a float such as a raft, and the float may be flexibly connected to the front of the mobile body 20, with the mobile body 20 pushing the float. Alternatively, the float to which the array jig 31 is attached may be towed by the mobile body 20.

[0026] More specifically, the array fixture 31 includes a frame 32 that extends laterally above the water and a number of arms 33 that hang down from the frame 32 into the water, with a depth gauge 3 attached to each arm 33.

[0027] In other words, in this embodiment, the depth gauge 3 is placed in the water. Each depth gauge 3 detects the distance from the depth gauge 3 to the bottom of the water, and measures the water depth by adding the depth of the sensor position from the water surface of the depth gauge 3 to this distance.

[0028] The controller 22 instructs the wireless communication device 21 to transmit depth data related to the water depth measured by the depth gauge 3, position data related to the position of each depth gauge 3 at the time of measurement (the position of each depth gauge 3 is geometrically calculated from the position and orientation of the measuring mobile body 2), and the measurement time to the wireless communication device 41. As a result, the depth data, position data, and measurement time are input to the management device 4.

[0029] As the measuring mobile unit 2 moves along the first access route 81, the depth gauge 3 measures the water depth, thereby obtaining water depth data for the first access route 81. Similarly, as the measuring mobile unit 2 moves along the second access route 82, the depth gauge 3 measures the water depth, thereby obtaining water depth data for the second access route 82.

[0030] Regarding the water level gauge 5, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the water depth measurement support system 1 includes three water level gauges 5. Each water level gauge 5 detects the distance to the water surface and measures the water level by comparing the detected distance with a reference distance.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the water level gauge 5 and the wireless communication device 51 are attached to the support column 52. A weight 53 is provided at the bottom of the support column 52. In this embodiment, after a flood occurs, the support column 52 with the water level gauge 5 and wireless communication device 51 attached is installed at a specific location where the water level should be measured. For example, the specific location where the water level should be measured is near the first access route 81 and the second access route 82, or near the flooded road 75. A GPS sensor may be attached to the water level gauge 5, and after the support column 52 is installed, location information regarding the specific location where the water level is measured by the water level gauge 5 may be transmitted to the management device 4.

[0032] However, the water level gauge 5 may be installed in a specific location before the occurrence of a flood. In other words, the water level gauge 5 may be permanently installed. For example, the water level gauge 5 may be attached to a utility pole or a building.

[0033] The control device 4 records the water depth data for the first access route 81 and the water depth data for the second access route 82 as initial water depth data. For areas where the water depth is not measured, such as between the depth gauges 3, the control device 4 mathematically fills in the water depth for those areas. In addition, the control device 4 records the water level at a specific location when the initial water depth data is obtained as the initial water level.

[0034] Furthermore, if the water level measured by the water level gauge 5 changes while the measuring mobile body 2 moves along the first access route 81 and the second access route 82, the management device 4 corrects the water depth data for the first access route 81 and the water depth data for the second access route 82 to match the data for the standard time (for example, the start time of water level measurement) based on the amount of change in water level from the standard time.

[0035] Subsequently, the control device 4 corrects the initial water depth data in accordance with the change in water level at a specific location to create current water depth data for the first access route 81 and current water depth data for the second access route 82. For example, if the current water level has fallen from the initial water level, the current water depth data is created by subtracting that water level difference from the initial water depth data. For example, the creation of current water depth data is performed every minute.

[0036] In addition to the aforementioned radio communication device 61 and controller 62, the rescue mobile unit 6 includes a navigation monitor 63 and a GPS sensor 64. These are connected to each other by a bus.

[0037] The GPS sensor 64 determines its own position. Based on the position determined by the GPS sensor 64, the controller 62 displays the position and orientation of the rescue mobile unit 6 on the map on the navigation monitor 63.

[0038] If the rescue vehicle 6 is a four-wheeled buggy, the management device 4 causes the radio communication device 41 to transmit the current water depth data of the first access route 81 to the radio communication device 61 of the rescue vehicle 6. As a result, the current water depth data of the first access route 81 is input to the controller 62. Based on the current water depth data of the first access route 81, the controller 62 displays the water depth around the rescue vehicle 6 (especially the water depth in the direction of travel) on the navigation monitor 63.

[0039] Figure 5 shows an example of the screen of the navigation monitor 63. In this example, the right half of the screen displays the map, and the left half displays the water depth. In this embodiment, the water depth is displayed using color coding. For example, areas with a water depth of 40 cm or less are displayed in green, areas with a water depth of 40 to 80 cm are displayed in yellow, and areas with a water depth of 80 cm or more are displayed in red. Figure 5 shows a screen assuming there is a depression 76 in a flooded road 74. Alternatively, areas with a water depth of 60 cm may be displayed in yellow, and the areas with a water depth of 40 to 60 cm and 60 to 80 cm may be displayed using a gradient to show the change in water depth.

[0040] If the rescue vehicle 6 is a motorboat or jet ski, the management device 4 causes the radio communication device 41 to transmit the current water depth data of the second access route 82 to the radio communication device 61 of the rescue vehicle 6. This inputs the current water depth data of the second access route 82 to the controller 62. Based on the current water depth data of the second access route 82, the controller 62 displays the water depth around the rescue vehicle 6 (especially the water depth in the direction of travel) on the navigation monitor 63.

[0041] Even if the rescue vehicle 6 is a motorboat or jet ski, the water depth is indicated by color coding. For example, areas with a water depth of 100 cm or more are shown in green, areas with a water depth of 100 to 60 cm are shown in yellow, and areas with a water depth of 60 cm or less are shown in red. Alternatively, areas with a water depth of 80 cm may be shown in yellow, and the areas with a water depth of 100 to 80 cm and 80 to 60 cm may be shown with a gradient to indicate the change in water depth.

[0042] As described above, in the water depth measurement support system 1 of this embodiment, current water depth data is created in the first access route 81 and the second access route 82 in accordance with changes in the water level at a specific location, so that the current water depth in the first access route 81 and the second access route 82 can be grasped in real time.

[0043] Incidentally, when the water depth is several tens of meters or more, a multi-beam depth gauge can be used to measure the water depth with high accuracy over a relatively wide range. However, when a multi-beam depth gauge is used in shallow water, the water depth is measured not only in a small beam emission angle range but also in a large beam emission angle range. In the large beam emission angle range, it is difficult to measure the water depth with high accuracy due to the presence of seabed elevations. In contrast, in this embodiment, multiple depth gauges 3 are attached at a predetermined pitch to an array jig 31 that extends in the width direction of the measuring mobile body 2, so that the water depth can be measured with high accuracy over a relatively wide range regardless of the water depth.

[0044] In particular, if the depth gauge 3 is installed at intervals of 10 cm or less over a range of 5 m or more on the array jig 31, since the tire width of a four-wheel buggy is about 20 cm, it is possible to detect depressions that the four-wheel buggy's tires might get stuck in without missing them. Also, since the width of a four-wheel buggy is about 2 m, if the water depth is measured over a width of 5 m or more, it is possible to plan the movement of the four-wheel buggy to avoid obstacles within the area where the water depth has been measured.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water depth around the rescue mobile unit 6 is displayed on the navigation monitor 63 of the rescue mobile unit 6, so that the driver of the rescue mobile unit 6 can operate the rescue mobile unit 6 while checking the surrounding water depth on the navigation monitor 63.

[0046] (modified version) This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0047] For example, the display of water depth based on current water depth data does not necessarily have to be done on the navigation monitor 63 of the rescue mobile unit 6; if a monitor is connected to the management device 4, it may be done on that monitor.

[0048] (summary) In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a water depth measurement support system that functions during floods in which isolated areas are formed within a flooded area, comprising: a measuring mobile body that moves along an access route to the isolated area and includes at least one depth gauge for measuring water depth and a GPS sensor for determining its own position; a water level gauge for measuring the water level at a specific location; and a management device that records the water depth data obtained along the access route by the movement of the measuring mobile body as initial water depth data, records the water level at the specific location when the initial water depth data was obtained as the initial water level, and corrects the initial water depth data in accordance with changes in the water level at the specific location to create current water depth data along the access route.

[0049] According to the above configuration, current water depth data is created for access routes to isolated areas in response to changes in water level at specific locations, making it possible to grasp the current water depth along the access routes in real time.

[0050] In a second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the measuring mobile body may include an array jig extending in the width direction of the measuring mobile body, and the at least one depth gauge may include a plurality of depth gauges attached to the array jig so as to be arranged at a predetermined pitch. When the water depth is deep, such as several tens of meters or more, a multi-beam measuring instrument can be used as a depth gauge to measure the water depth with high accuracy over a relatively wide area. However, when a multi-beam measuring instrument is used in shallow water, the water depth is measured not only in a small angular range of the beam emission angle but also in a large angular range of the beam emission angle, and in the large angular range of the beam emission angle, it is difficult to measure the water depth with high accuracy due to the presence of seabed elevations. In contrast, if a plurality of depth gauges are attached at a predetermined pitch to an array jig extending in the width direction of the measuring mobile body, the water depth can be measured with high accuracy over a relatively wide area regardless of the water depth.

[0051] In a third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the predetermined pitch may be 10 cm or less, and the plurality of depth gauges may be mounted in a range of 5 m or more on the array jig. With this configuration, since the tire width of the ATV is about 20 cm, depressions that the ATV's tires might fall into can be detected without being overlooked. Also, since the width of the ATV is about 2 m, if the water depth is measured over a width of 5 m or more, it is possible to plan the ATV's movement to bypass obstacles within the measured water depth area.

[0052] In a fourth embodiment, in any of the first to third embodiments, the water depth measurement support system further comprises a rescue mobile body that moves along the access route, the rescue mobile body including a navigation monitor that displays the position and orientation of the rescue mobile body on a map, the management device transmits current water depth data on the access route to the rescue mobile body, and the navigation monitor may display the water depth around the rescue mobile body based on the current water depth data. With this configuration, the driver of the rescue mobile body can operate the rescue mobile body while checking the surrounding water depth on the navigation monitor.

[0053] In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a measuring mobile body comprising: an array jig extending in the width direction of the measuring mobile body; a plurality of depth gauges for measuring water depth, attached to the array jig so as to be arranged at a predetermined pitch; and a GPS sensor for determining its own position.

[0054] When the water depth is several tens of meters or more, a multi-beam depth gauge can be used to measure the water depth with high accuracy over a relatively wide area. However, when a multi-beam depth gauge is used in shallow water, the water depth is measured not only in a small beam emission angle range but also in a large beam emission angle range. In the large beam emission angle range, it is difficult to measure the water depth with high accuracy due to the presence of seabed elevations. In contrast, if multiple depth gauges are mounted at a predetermined pitch on an array jig that extends in the width direction of the measuring mobile body, the water depth can be measured with high accuracy over a relatively wide area, regardless of the water depth.

[0055] In a sixth embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, the predetermined pitch may be 10 cm or less, and the plurality of depth gauges may be mounted in an area of ​​5 m or more on the array jig. With this configuration, since the tire width of the ATV is about 20 cm, depressions into which the ATV's tires may fall can be detected without being overlooked. Also, since the width of the ATV is about 2 m, if the water depth is measured over a width of 5 m or more, it is possible to plan the ATV's movement to bypass obstacles within the area where the water depth is measured. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Water depth measurement support system 2 Measuring Mobile Unit 23 Navigation Monitor 3 Depth gauge 31 Array fixture 4 Management device 5 Water level gauge 6 Rescue vehicle 63 Navigation Monitor

Claims

1. A water depth measurement support system that functions during floods when isolated areas are formed within flooded areas, A measuring mobile body that moves along an access route to the isolated area, including at least one depth gauge for measuring water depth and a GPS sensor for determining its own position, A water level gauge that measures the water level at a specific location, A management device that records the water depth data in the access route obtained by the movement of the measuring mobile body as initial water depth data, records the water level at the specific location when the initial water depth data is obtained as the initial water level, and corrects the initial water depth data in accordance with the change in the water level at the specific location to create current water depth data in the access route, A water depth measurement support system equipped with the following features.

2. The measuring mobile body includes an array jig that extends in the width direction of the measuring mobile body, The depth measurement support system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one depth gauge includes a plurality of depth gauges mounted on the array fixture so as to be arranged at a predetermined pitch.

3. The depth measurement support system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined pitch is 10 cm or less, and the plurality of depth gauges are mounted in an array jig within a range of 5 m or more.

4. A rescue vehicle that moves along the aforementioned access route, further comprising a rescue vehicle that includes a navigation monitor that displays the position and orientation of the rescue vehicle on a map, The water depth measurement support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the management device transmits current water depth data in the access route to the rescue mobile unit, and the navigation monitor displays the water depth around the rescue mobile unit based on the current water depth data.

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