Pipeline-diagram design support method, pipeline-diagram design support device, and pipeline-diagram design support program

Abstract

Provided is a pipeline-diagram design support method that can automatically set, at an appropriate position, an intersection or the like necessary for creating a piping route.　This pipeline-diagram design support method for designing a pipeline diagram including a plurality of pipes by using a computer comprises: a planned line acquisition step for acquiring a planned line that is divided into a plurality of line elements; a bending angle calculation step for calculating the bending angle of a bending point where the line elements cross each other; and a bending-point attribute setting step for defining the attribute of a bending point, at which the bending angle reaches at least a predetermined threshold value, as an intersection point where a deformed pipe is to be placed, and setting the attribute of a bending point, at which the bending angle is smaller than the predetermined threshold, to a passage instruction point where a straight pipe is to be placed.

Description

Pipeline diagram design support method, pipeline diagram design support device, and pipeline diagram design support program

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipeline diagram design support method, a pipeline diagram design support device, and a pipeline diagram design support program.

[0002] Conventionally, when designing a new pipeline to be laid or a pipeline to update an existing pipeline using a pipeline diagram creation support device with an application program for creating pipeline diagrams installed, the positions where irregular pipes such as curved pipes should be placed are indicated as intersections using a pointing device on a pipeline diagram layer superimposed on a two-dimensional map layer displayed on the screen, and a two-dimensional planned piping route, i.e., a two-dimensional planned line, is created so that the irregular pipes placed at each intersection are connected by multiple straight pipes.

[0003] Then, in order to connect the special-shaped pipes arranged at each intersection of the two-dimensional planning line with straight pipes, a pipe division process was performed to automatically calculate the number of straight pipes to be arranged along the two-dimensional planning line, the joint angle of the joints, whether or not to use cut pipes, etc.

[0004] In recent years, three-dimensional mapping technology has been developed that uses computers to visualize underground buried objects such as power lines, communication lines, gas pipes, water pipes, and sewer pipes buried under roads in three dimensions, and there is a demand for a three-dimensional design support device that combines the above-mentioned pipeline diagram creation support device for designing two-dimensional pipeline diagrams with three-dimensional mapping technology.

[0005] JP 2021-189923 A JP 2023-85036 A

[0006] In order to create such a planned line using a pipeline diagram design support device, the operator must input multiple intersections from the start point to the end point and selectively specify passing indicators between the intersections on a background image such as a road map displayed on the screen. However, except for the start point and the end point, it is difficult for an operator other than an experienced operator to set the intersections and passing indicators in appropriate positions. In particular, with a three-dimensional planned line that forms a complex route, it is extremely difficult even for an experienced operator to set intersections and other points in appropriate positions.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a pipeline diagram design support method, a pipeline diagram design support device, and a pipeline diagram design support program that can automatically set intersections and other points required to create a pipe installation route at appropriate positions.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first characteristic configuration of the pipeline diagram design support method according to the present invention is a pipeline diagram design support method for designing a pipeline diagram consisting of a plurality of pipes using a computer, comprising: a planning line acquisition step for acquiring a planning line decomposed into a plurality of line elements; a bending angle calculation step for calculating the bending angle of a bending point where each line element intersects; and a bending point attribute setting step for defining the attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is at least equal to a predetermined threshold as an intersection point where an irregular pipe is placed, and setting the attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold as a passing instruction point where a straight pipe is placed.

[0009] A planning line is decomposed into a plurality of line elements and acquired in a planning line acquisition step, and a bending angle calculation step calculates the bending angle of the bending points where each line element intersects. Next, in a bending point attribute setting step, bending points where the bending angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are set as intersection points where special-shaped pipes are placed, and bending points where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold are set as passing instruction points where straight pipes are placed, thereby automatically setting appropriate intersection points and passing instruction points.

[0010] The second characteristic configuration has, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the following: a joint number calculation step for calculating the number of straight pipes that can be placed on the arc when the line element is an arc, and calculating the number of joints from the number of straight pipes; a maximum bending angle calculation step for calculating the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are placed on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angle of the joints; and an arc section intersection placement necessity determination step for comparing the maximum bending angle with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc and determining whether the intersection is necessary.

[0011] If the line element is an arc, a joint number calculation step calculates the number of straight pipes that can be arranged along the arc based on the length of the arc, and the number of joints is calculated from the number of straight pipes. A maximum bending angle calculation step calculates the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are arranged on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angles of the joints. In an arc intersection necessity determination step, the maximum bending angle is compared with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc, and if the central angle of the arc is smaller than the maximum bending angle, it can be determined that pipe splitting is possible using only straight pipes, and if the central angle of the arc is larger than the maximum bending angle, it can be determined that an intersection is required to arrange irregular-shaped pipes such as curved pipes.

[0012] The third characteristic configuration is that, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, it has an inter-bend point distance detection step for detecting the distance between the bend points, and an adjacent intersection setting step for extending the line segments on either side of the bend point and setting the point where they intersect as a new intersection point if the distance between the bend points is less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0013] If the distance between the bend points detected in the bend point distance detection step is less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that it is difficult to lay straight or cut pipes between the bend points, and the adjacent intersection setting step extends the line segments on either side of the bend point and sets the intersection point as a new intersection point, thereby making it possible to lay straight or cut pipes.

[0014] A first characteristic configuration of the pipeline diagram design support device according to the present invention is a pipeline diagram design support device that generates a pipeline diagram consisting of a plurality of pipes, and comprises a planning line acquisition unit that acquires a planning line decomposed into a plurality of line elements, a bending angle calculation unit that calculates the bending angle of a bending point where each line element intersects, and a bending point attribute setting unit that defines the attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is at least a predetermined threshold value as an intersection point where an irregular pipe is placed, and sets the attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold value as a passing instruction point where a straight pipe is placed.

[0015] The second characteristic configuration, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, includes a joint number calculation unit that calculates the number of straight pipes that can be placed on the arc when the line element is an arc and calculates the number of joints from the number of straight pipes; a maximum bending angle calculation unit that calculates the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are placed on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angle of the joints; and an arc section intersection placement necessity determination unit that compares the maximum bending angle with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc and determines whether the intersection is necessary.

[0016] The third characteristic configuration is that, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, it has an inter-bend point distance detection unit that detects the distance between the bend points, and an adjacent intersection setting unit that, if the distance between the bend points is less than a predetermined threshold, extends the line segments on either side of the bend point and sets the point where they intersect as a new intersection point.

[0017] A first characteristic feature of the pipeline diagram design support program according to the present invention is that it is a pipeline diagram design support program for generating a three-dimensional pipeline diagram consisting of a plurality of pipes, and causes a computer to execute the following steps: a planning line acquisition step for acquiring a planning line decomposed into a plurality of line elements; a bending angle calculation step for calculating the bending angle of a bending point where each line element intersects; and a bending point attribute setting step for defining the attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is at least a predetermined threshold value as an intersection point where an irregular pipe is placed, and setting the attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold value as a passing instruction point where a straight pipe is placed.

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pipeline diagram design support method, a pipeline diagram design support device, and a pipeline diagram design support program that can automatically set intersections and other points required to create a pipe installation route at appropriate positions.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a pipeline diagram design support device. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of a 2D plan line showing the installation route of a main pipe and a branch pipe connecting specified intersections. FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of a 3D plan line obtained by converting the 2D plan line based on attribute information. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of a 2D plan line superimposed on a 3D map. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a 3D plan line converted based on the 2D plan line. FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram of a pipeline diagram in which a 3D pipeline model in which pipes are divided according to the 3D plan line is drawn. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for automatically generating intersections and passing indicators. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for automatically generating intersections and passing indicators. FIG. 4C is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for automatically generating intersections and passing indicators. FIG. 4D is an explanatory diagram of the procedure for automatically generating intersections and passing indicators. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of a 2D drawing model of a straight pipe. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of a 2D drawing model of a special-shaped pipe. FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram of a 3D drawing model of a straight pipe. Fig. 5D is an explanatory diagram of a 3D drawing model of an irregular pipe. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the interrelationship between a 2D drawing model and a 3D drawing model. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a pipeline diagram design support method. Fig. 8A is a flowchart showing a method for creating a pipe division diagram along a 3D planning line. Fig. 8B is an explanatory diagram of a calculation method used in the method for creating a pipe division diagram along a 3D planning line. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure of a 3D pipeline diagram design support method that automatically avoids obstacles. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for generating intersections and passing indicator points.

[0020] The present invention relates to a method for supporting design of a pipeline diagram, a device for supporting design of a pipeline diagram, and a program for supporting design of a pipeline diagram, and the method, device, program ...

[0021] The pipeline diagram design support device 10 comprises a computer main body 10A, an input device 10B such as a keyboard and a mouse which is a pointing device connected to the computer main body 10A, a display device 10C such as a touch panel display device, and storage devices 10D, 10E, and 10F. The storage device 10D is a two-dimensional pipeline database, the storage device 10E is a drawing model database, and the storage device 10F is a three-dimensional pipeline database.

[0022] The two-dimensional pipeline database 10D stores two-dimensional background maps showing buildings, roads, etc., two-dimensional plan lines arranged on the background maps, and two-dimensional pipeline diagrams obtained by dividing the two-dimensional plan lines. The drawing model database 10E stores pipe material data, i.e., multiple pieces of pipe information specifying specifications such as pipe types (e.g., irregular pipes, straight pipes) and diameters, as well as two-dimensional and three-dimensional symbols for each pipe, all associated with each other. The three-dimensional pipeline database 10F stores three-dimensional maps showing underground utilities such as power lines, communication lines, gas pipes, water pipes, and sewer pipes buried under roads, three-dimensional plan lines, and three-dimensional pipeline diagrams obtained by dividing the three-dimensional plan lines. The two-dimensional pipeline database 10D and the three-dimensional pipeline database 10F may be integrated into a pipeline database.

[0023] The computer main body 10A includes a CPU board, a memory board, and multiple input / output interface circuits 10IF. Built-in storage devices such as SSDs and hard disks are also connected via the input / output interface circuits 10IF. The input / output interface circuits 10IF include interface circuits for data input / output processing with the input device 10B and the display device 10C, interfaces for data read and write processing with the storage devices 10D, 10E, and 10F, and interfaces for communication processing with other external devices.

[0024] The above-mentioned application program for pipeline diagram design support is stored and distributed on a recording medium configured as a nonvolatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a USB memory, and is installed on the computer main body 10A and executed under the control of the OS of the computer main body 10A to function as the pipeline diagram design support device 10. The computer main body 10A that embodies the present invention may be configured as a standalone computer, or may have functions divided and configured among multiple computers that can communicate with each other.

[0025] The computer main body 10A includes a two-dimensional pipeline information input unit 11, a three-dimensional pipeline attribute information input unit 12, a three-dimensional planning line conversion unit 13, an intersection / passing instruction point generation unit 14, a three-dimensional pipe allocation unit 15, a three-dimensional pipe allocation evaluation unit 16, an obstacle avoidance unit 17, a three-dimensional pipeline diagram generation unit 18, a pipeline diagram conversion unit 19, and the like, which are composed of integrated circuits such as a CPU and registers that function as calculation blocks, as shown below.

[0026] The two-dimensional pipeline information input unit 11 is a processing unit that reads and inputs a background map stored in the two-dimensional pipeline database 10D and a two-dimensional planning line drawn on the background map and indicating the pipeline installation route.

[0027] The three-dimensional pipeline attribute information input unit 12 is a processing unit that inputs attribute information necessary to convert the two-dimensional plan line input by the two-dimensional pipeline information input unit 11 into a three-dimensional plan line. The attribute information includes information on the buried depth of the pipeline laid along the two-dimensional plan line, information on the elevation of the ground surface, information on the type and nominal diameter of the pipeline, etc.

[0028] The three-dimensional plan line conversion unit 13 is a processing unit that converts the two-dimensional plan line into a three-dimensional plan line based on the three-dimensional pipeline attribute information input by the three-dimensional pipeline attribute information input unit 12.

[0029] The intersection point / passing instruction point generation unit 14 is a processing unit that automatically generates intersection points IP and passing instruction points CP from a three-dimensional planning line converted from a two-dimensional planning line, and is equipped with a planning line acquisition unit 14A that acquires a planning line decomposed into a plurality of line elements, a bending angle calculation unit 14B that calculates the bending angle of the bending point where each line element intersects, and a bending point attribute setting unit 14C that defines the attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is at least a predetermined threshold value as an intersection point where an irregular pipe is placed, and sets the attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold value as a passing instruction point where a straight pipe is placed.

[0030] The intersection / passing instruction point generating unit 14 further includes a joint number calculating unit 14D that calculates the number of straight pipes that can be arranged on the arc when the line element is an arc and calculates the number of joints from the number of straight pipes, a maximum bending angle calculating unit 14E that calculates the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are arranged on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angles of the joints, and an arc portion intersection point arrangement necessity determining unit 14F that compares the maximum bending angle with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc and determines whether an intersection point is necessary. Furthermore, the intersection / passing instruction point generating unit 14 includes a bending point distance detecting unit 14G that detects the spacing between bending points, and an adjacent portion intersection point setting unit 14H that sets the point where the line segments on both sides of the bending point intersect as a new intersection point when the distance between the bending points is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0031] The three-dimensional pipe division unit 15 is a processing unit that automatically performs pipe division processing on a three-dimensional planning line, places special-shaped pipes at intersections IP of the three-dimensional planning line, calculates the number of straight pipes connecting the special-shaped pipes placed at the intersections IP and whether or not there are cut pipes, and arranges them along the three-dimensional planning line.

[0032] The three-dimensional pipe division evaluation unit 16 is a processing unit that evaluates the appropriateness of the three-dimensional pipe division drawing obtained by the three-dimensional pipe division unit 15, and is equipped with an evaluation point identification unit 16A that identifies the positions of multiple pipe fittings that serve as evaluation points from the three-dimensional pipe division drawing obtained by the three-dimensional pipe division unit 15, an evaluation value calculation unit 16B that calculates the sum of the shortest distances from each evaluation point to the three-dimensional planning line as an evaluation value, a bending amount calculation unit 16C that calculates the bending amount that minimizes the evaluation value when the bending amount of the pipe fitting corresponding to each evaluation point is changed using Newton's method, and a pipe fitting adjustment unit 16D that moves the position of the pipe fitting so that the bending amount minimizes the evaluation value obtained in the bending amount calculation step.

[0033] The obstacle avoidance unit 17 is a processing unit that sets a laying route so as to arrange a pipeline by detouring around obstacles buried underground, and is equipped with an obstacle information input unit 17A that inputs obstacle information including the position of obstacles buried underground, an interference determination unit 17B that determines whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the pipe layout diagram, a required separation area calculation unit 17C that calculates a required separation area for the obstacle when the interference determination unit 17B determines that there is interference, an avoidance pattern presentation unit 17D that generates an avoidance pattern for a pipeline that ensures the required separation area and presents it to the operator, and a pipe layout diagram update unit 17E that updates the pipe layout diagram with a pipeline that corresponds to an avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns.

[0034] The three-dimensional pipe diagram generating unit 18 is a processing unit that draws each pipe constituting the three-dimensional pipe division diagram with a three-dimensional symbol. The three-dimensional symbol is composed of a three-dimensional pipe body drawing model and a three-dimensional joint drawing model acquired from the drawing model database 10E.

[0035] The drawing model database 10E includes pipe material information for managing pipes individually, pipe body drawing model IDs and joint drawing model IDs assigned to each pipe managed by the pipe material information, three-dimensional pipe body drawing models and three-dimensional joint drawing models associated with the pipe body drawing model IDs and the joint drawing model IDs, as well as two-dimensional pipe body drawing models and two-dimensional joint drawing models.

[0036] The pipeline diagram conversion unit 19 is a processing unit that converts between three-dimensional symbols and two-dimensional symbols by referring to the pipeline model database 10E, in order to draw each pipe in the three-dimensional pipe division diagram, which is drawn using three-dimensional symbols, using two-dimensional symbols, and displays them.

[0037] [Pipeline Diagram Design Support Method] A pipeline diagram design support method using the above-mentioned pipeline diagram design support device will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 7. Fig. 2A shows an example of a two-dimensional planning line (shown by a dashed line) created on an XY plane with a map as the background diagram. The two-dimensional planning line refers to a pipe installation route formed by polylines or splines that pass through multiple points Pn (n = 1, 2, ...) designated by an operator with a pointing device on the map displayed on the screen of the display device 10C.

[0038] In this embodiment, an example is described in which an earthquake-resistant joint that allows bending of a straight pipe at a predetermined angle is used as a straight pipe.

[0039] Such two-dimensional planning lines can be created using the pipeline diagram design support device of the present invention, or may be created in advance using a pipeline diagram design support device specialized for two-dimensional design. The two-dimensional pipeline information input unit 11 reads out two-dimensional pipeline information including a background map and the above-mentioned two-dimensional planning lines that have been created in advance and stored in the two-dimensional pipeline database 10D, and expands it in a working area set in the memory area of ​​the pipeline diagram design support device (SA1).

[0040] The three-dimensional pipeline attribute information input unit 12 executes a process of inputting three-dimensional pipeline attribute information, including buried pipe depth information necessary for converting the two-dimensional plan line input in step SA1 into a three-dimensional plan line (SA2). The three-dimensional pipeline attribute information includes geographical information, such as the elevation and soil cover of the area where the pipes will be laid, and pipe information, such as the type and nominal diameter of the pipes to be laid. When the operator selects an intersection IP of the input two-dimensional plan line or a line segment connecting the intersection IP with the mouse, options for the elevation, soil cover, and pipe information for the corresponding position are displayed, and by selecting the appropriate item from the displayed options, the three-dimensional pipeline attribute information for the two-dimensional plan line is input.

[0041] When the operator has finished inputting the three-dimensional attribute information for the two-dimensional plan line, the three-dimensional plan line conversion unit 13 is activated to execute the three-dimensional plan line conversion process (SA3). The three-dimensional plan line conversion process calculates depth information for each intersection IP and passage indication point CP of the two-dimensional plan line based on the three-dimensional attribute information, and develops the two-dimensional plan line in three-dimensional space.

[0042] Burial depth information ΔZ1, ΔZ2, ΔZ3, and ΔZ4 are calculated for points P1, P2, P3, and P4 on the two-dimensional planning line shown in Figure 2A, and a three-dimensional planning line is obtained by line segments passing through points P1', P2', P3', and P4' where the burial depths are set. Figure 2B shows the three-dimensional planning line obtained in this manner. The buried depth information ΔZ is calculated by adding half the length of the pipe outer diameter, obtained based on the pipe nominal diameter information, to the earth cover information. This processing makes it possible to align the axis of the pipe with the three-dimensional planning line.

[0043] If the buried depth information ΔZ of each point Pn-1', Pn' is different, the buried depth of the plan line between them is proportionally allocated based on the buried depth between points Pn-1', Pn', or a new point Pm' is generated near one of the points Pn-1' whose buried depth information matches that of the other point Pn'. A plan line of a fixed buried depth is established between the new point Pm' and the other point Pn', and a plan line connecting the new point Pm' and the one point Pn-1' is added. The operator selects either option to create a three-dimensional plan line. The new point Pm' can be set directly above or below one of the points Pn-1'. Figure 3A shows a two-dimensional plan line, and Figure 3B shows a three-dimensional plan line generated based on the two-dimensional plan line. Figure 3C shows a three-dimensional pipeline diagram drawn using three-dimensional symbols generated by the three-dimensional pipeline diagram generation process described below.

[0044] For the three-dimensional plan line converted in this way, it may be difficult to directly use the intersection points IP and passing indicator points CP specified on the two-dimensional plan line. When performing pipe layout on the three-dimensional plan line, the operator must evaluate in advance whether the curved piping has a possible curvature and whether it can be arranged so that the cut pipe length is acceptable. However, operators with little experience find it difficult to perform such an evaluation in advance. Therefore, the operator can activate the intersection point / passing indicator point generator 14, which automatically generates intersection points IP and passing indicator points CP for the three-dimensional plan line (SA4).

[0045] As shown in Figure 10, the intersection and passing indicator point generating unit 14 acquires the 3D plan line converted by the 3D plan line converting unit 13 (SC1). The 2D plan line input by the 2D pipeline information input unit 11 is a 2D plan line composed of polylines or splines at the time of design, which has been decomposed into multiple line elements in advance, and the 3D plan line is also decomposed into multiple line elements. In other words, the polylines are divided into line segments and arcs, and the splines are approximated by broken lines. The length of the broken line is set based on the length of the straight pipe to be laid, and is preferably set to, for example, the length of the straight pipe or half that length.

[0046] The intersection and passing instruction point generation process will now be described in detail. First, the start and end points of the plan line and the points where the plan line intersect are set as intersection points IP (SC2). Next, a bend angle calculation process is performed to calculate the bend angles of the bend points where each line element intersects (SC3), and then a bend point attribute setting process is executed.

[0047] If the line element is not a circular arc (SC4, N), the attributes of the bend point where the bend angle is at least equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are defined as intersection points IP where a special-shaped pipe is placed (SC5, SC6), and the attributes of the bend point where the bend angle is less than the predetermined threshold are defined as passage points CP where a straight pipe is placed (SC5, SC7). The predetermined threshold is set based on 5.625°, the minimum angle for a curved pipe. In steps SC3 to SC5, among the points on the spline, the points where the curvature is maximum and the bend angle of the approximation line is equal to or greater than the threshold are defined as intersection points IP, and the points where the bend angle of the approximation line is less than the threshold are defined as passage points CP.

[0048] Next, a process for detecting the distance between bend points is performed (SC8), and if the distance between the bend points is less than a predetermined threshold (SC9, Y), a process for setting adjacent intersection points is performed (SC10), where the line segments on either side of the bend point are extended and the intersection point is set as a new intersection point.

[0049] If the line element is an arc (SC4, Y), the number of straight pipes that can be arranged on the arc is calculated, and a joint number calculation process is executed to calculate the number of joints from the number of straight pipes (SC11). Then, a maximum bending angle calculation process is executed to calculate the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are arranged on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angles of the joints (SC12). A circular arc intersection necessity determination process is executed to compare the maximum bending angle with the central angle of the arc and determine whether an intersection is necessary (SC13, SC15). A specific example will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0050] 4A shows an example in which a portion of a planned line divided into three straight line elements is set as a first bend point CP and a second bend point IP. FIG. 4B shows an example in which a first bend point of a spline, where the curvature is maximum and the bend angle is less than a threshold, is set as a pass point CP, and a second bend point of a spline, where the curvature is maximum and the bend angle is equal to or greater than a threshold, is set as an intersection point IP.

[0051] The intersection / passing instruction point generation unit 14 further executes a joint number calculation process that calculates the number of straight pipes that can be placed on the arc when the line element becomes an arc and calculates the number of joints from the number of straight pipes; a maximum bending angle calculation process that calculates the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are placed on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angle of the joints (set to 2° in this embodiment); and an arc section intersection placement necessity determination process that compares the maximum bending angle with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc and determines whether an intersection IP is necessary.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4C, the number of straight pipes N to be laid in the arc section is calculated from the length L of the arc and the length p of the straight pipes using the following formula: N = ceiling(L / p) ... ceiling(X) is the value of X rounded up to the nearest integer. The maximum bending angle θ is calculated from the number of straight pipes and the allowable bending angle α using the following formula: θ = (N-1) x α. If the maximum bending angle θ is less than the central angle φ of the arc, it is determined that no curved pipes need to be inserted, and the connection position of the straight pipes is designated as the passing indicator point CP. If the maximum bending angle θ is greater than the central angle φ of the arc, the number of curved pipes (non-circular pipes) to be inserted is calculated based on the difference between the maximum bending angle θ and the central angle φ, and the placement position of the curved pipes is designated as the intersection point IP.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4D, the intersection point / passing instruction point generation unit 14 further performs a distance detection process between bend points (shown as white circles in the figure) to detect the distance between bend points, and an adjacent intersection setting process to set the point where the line segments on either side of the bend point intersect as a new intersection point IP if the distance between the bend points is less than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is the minimum length of the cut pipe connecting the special-shaped pipes placed at the bend points. Figures 4A to 4D are shown in two dimensions for ease of understanding, but in reality the processing is three-dimensional.

[0054] The process of automatically setting intersection points IP and passing instruction points CP by the intersection point / passing instruction point generation unit 14 described above can be applied not only to three-dimensional planning lines but also to two-dimensional planning lines, and intersection points IP and passing instruction points CP can be automatically set for two-dimensional planning lines using the same procedure as described above.

[0055] The 3D pipe dividing unit 15 performs pipe dividing processing on the 3D plan line on which the intersection points IP and the passing indicator points CP are arranged (SA5). Essentially, similar to known automatic pipe dividing processing on 2D plan lines, predetermined special-shaped pipes are arranged at the intersection points IP, and straight pipes and necessary cut pipes are placed between the special-shaped pipes. That is, the distance between the intersection points IP along the plan line is calculated, and the integer value obtained by dividing this distance by the length of the straight pipes is calculated as the number of straight pipes, and the fraction is calculated as the length of the cut pipes. If the plan line is curved, the bending angle of the joint is provisionally set so that the straight pipes are arranged on the curve.

[0056] The validity of the three-dimensional pipe division diagram is evaluated by the three-dimensional pipe division evaluation unit 16, and the bending angle of the straight pipe is adjusted based on the result (SA6, SA7).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8A, the three-dimensional pipe allocation evaluation unit 16 executes an evaluation point identification process (SB1) for identifying the positions of multiple pipe fittings that serve as evaluation points from the three-dimensional pipe allocation drawing obtained by the three-dimensional pipe allocation unit 15; an evaluation value calculation process (SB2) for calculating an evaluation value by adding up the shortest distances from each evaluation point to the three-dimensional planning line; a bending amount calculation process (SB3) for calculating, by Newton's method, the bending amount that minimizes the evaluation value when the bending amount of the pipe fitting corresponding to each evaluation point is changed; a pipe fitting adjustment process (SB4) for moving the position of the pipe fitting so that the bending amount that minimizes the evaluation value obtained in the bending amount calculation step is obtained; and a judgment process (SB5) for repeatedly executing steps SB2, SB3, and SB4 until the evaluation value is saturated.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8B, the 3D pipe layout evaluation unit 16 sets the joints of straight pipes in the 3D pipe layout drawing as evaluation points, and acquires the bending angle θ = {θi} of the joints as an initial value. The shortest distance Δai (i = 1, 2, ...) from each joint to the plan line f(x) is calculated using the following formula, and the residual vector is calculated as the evaluation target value e, which is an added value: Δai = |gi(θi) - f(xi)| where f(x) is a function of the plan line, and gi(θ) is a function of the joint angle representing the i-th evaluation position, e = {Δai}

[0059] In the evaluation value calculation process, the response of the evaluation object value to the change in the joint angle is calculated using the Newton method, and the corner joint angle that minimizes the second-order norm of the evaluation object value is found. That is, the update amount of the joint angle, which is a parameter, is calculated so that the residual is minimized using the Jacobian matrix J = (δei / δθj) value. Δθ = {Δθi} = (J Ｔ J) －１ J Ｔ e*w; w<1, w is the update weight

[0060] The obstacle avoidance unit 17 executes an obstacle avoidance process (SA8) on the optimized three-dimensional pipe planning diagram. The obstacle avoidance unit 17 executes an obstacle information input process for inputting obstacle information including the positions of obstacles buried underground, an interference determination process for determining whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the pipe planning diagram, a required separation area calculation process for calculating a required separation area for the obstacle if interference is determined by the interference determination process, an avoidance pattern presentation process for presenting to the operator avoidance patterns of pipelines that ensure the required separation area, and a pipe planning diagram update process for updating the pipe planning diagram with a pipeline corresponding to an avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns. Furthermore, the required separation area calculation process executes an integrated required separation area calculation process for calculating an integrated required separation area that includes two or more required separation areas if the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive.

[0061] 9A to 9D are explanatory diagrams showing the procedure for obstacle avoidance processing. Fig. 9A shows pipelines laid out along a planned line and obstacles (hatched circles) recognized by the obstacle information input processing. The figure shows a single obstacle and four closely spaced obstacles.

[0062] As shown in Figure 9B, if the interference detection process determines that an obstacle and a pipeline interfere with each other or are so close that they may hinder construction work, the required separation area calculation process calculates a required separation area (a circular area surrounding the obstacle). If the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are adjacent or close to each other, a combined required separation area (a rectangular area indicated by a two-dot chain line) that encompasses each required separation area is calculated. The required separation area and combined required separation area can be set as appropriate, such as a spherical area, a rectangular area, or a cylindrical area.

[0063] Although not shown in the figure, when the required separation area or the combined required separation area is next selected, a menu of multiple avoidance patterns for detour pipelines that avoid the required separation area or the combined required separation area is displayed on the screen. The avoidance patterns include an inverted pipe that detours below the obstacle, an overhead pipe that detours above the obstacle, a cut-off pipe that detours horizontally around the obstacle, and a twisted pipe that detours diagonally by combining both depth and horizontal directions, allowing the user to select an appropriate avoidance pattern depending on the characteristics of the obstacle.

[0064] In the avoidance pattern presentation process, a detour route (avoidance route) is automatically generated based on detour route design information predetermined for each avoidance pattern. The detour design information includes obstacle location information indicating the relative position of the obstacle with respect to a reference plane according to the aspect of the detour route, detour route location information indicating the relative position of the detour route relative to the reference plane, which includes at least one bending point and can avoid the obstacle, and pipe type information including the angle and joint information of at least the curved pipes that make up the detour route.

[0065] When the detour route is a turnaround or overhead route, the reference plane is set on the ground, when the detour route is a turning route, the reference plane is set on a vertical plane perpendicular to the ground, and when the detour route is a twisting route, the reference plane is set on an inclined plane at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the ground or the vertical plane perpendicular to the ground.

[0066] As shown in Figure 9D, a hidden piping system bypasses an obstacle by placing two curved pipes upstream and downstream of the obstacle along the pipe installation direction, and connecting each curved pipe using straight and cut pipes. For such a hidden piping system, the obstacle location information is input, including the depth from the ground to the bottom of the obstacle and the width or outer diameter of the pipe in the installation direction. The detour route location information is automatically calculated, including the soil cover of the existing pipeline at the connection point, the soil cover of the detoured pipeline, the distance from the end of the existing pipe to the obstacle along the installation direction, the depthwise distance between the obstacle and the hidden piping, and the length between the obstacle and the deepest curve of the hidden piping. These values ​​are preset based on the required clearance area or the combined required clearance area.

[0067] In other words, the detour piping is composed of curved pipes located at the start and end points of the detour and at relay points, and straight and cut pipes connecting each curved pipe.The actual configuration of the selected avoidance pattern, that is, the angles of the curved pipes, the number of straight pipes, the lengths of the cut pipes, etc., are automatically calculated according to the required separation area or the integrated required separation area, and the 3D pipe division drawing is updated to avoid the obstacles.When an avoidance pattern is applied to a 3D planning line, a new intersection point IP is generated at the position of the curved pipe.

[0068] 9C and 9D, the 3D pipeline diagram generating unit 18 executes a pipeline model drawing process for the optimized pipe division diagram (SA9), and generates a 3D pipeline diagram by drawing 3D symbols of each pipe obtained by the 3D pipe division process along the 3D planning line. The generated 3D pipeline diagram is stored in the 3D pipeline database 10F (SA10). FIG. 3C shows a 3D pipeline diagram drawn using the 3D symbols drawn by the 3D pipeline diagram generating unit 18.

[0069] That is, the 3D pipeline diagram generating unit 18 generates a 3D pipeline diagram by drawing 3D symbols of each pipe obtained by the 3D pipe division process along the 3D planning line. The 3D symbols drawn by the 3D pipeline diagram generating process are composed of a 3D pipe body drawing model and a 3D joint drawing model obtained from the drawing model database 10E.

[0070] FIG. 5A shows a 2D symbol representing a straight pipe and a joint, and FIG. 5B shows a 2D symbol representing a branch pipe, which is an irregular pipe, and a joint. Both 2D symbols represent joints in the same way. FIG. 5C shows a 3D symbol representing a straight pipe and a joint, and FIG. 5D shows a 3D symbol representing a branch pipe, which is an irregular pipe, and a joint. The 3D symbols representing the respective joints differ significantly in shape. Therefore, even if the 2D pipe model in the drawing model database that defines the existing 2D symbol is replaced with a 3D pipe model, and the 2D joint model is replaced with a 3D joint model, an accurate 3D symbol cannot be constructed.

[0071] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the drawing model database 10E includes pipe material information including pipe type, nominal diameter, etc. for managing pipes individually, a pipe body drawing model ID and a joint drawing model ID assigned to each pipe managed by the pipe material information, a 3D pipe body drawing model and a 3D joint drawing model associated with the pipe body drawing model ID and the joint drawing model ID, and a 2D pipe body drawing model associated with the pipe body drawing model ID. The pipe material information includes information about all pipe materials that can be selected in the pipe division process. The 2D pipe body drawing model is integrated with 2D joint drawing models of the same shape, and is configured so that a 2D symbol can be extracted using only the pipe body drawing model ID.

[0072] By constructing such a drawing model database 10E, the pipeline diagram conversion unit 19 can easily convert a three-dimensional pipeline diagram represented by three-dimensional symbols into a three-dimensional pipeline diagram represented by two-dimensional symbols.

[0073] Even if a three-dimensional pipeline diagram created using the above-mentioned pipeline diagram design support device and represented using three-dimensional symbols is not accepted as an official drawing to be submitted to a government agency, it can be converted into a three-dimensional pipeline diagram represented using two-dimensional symbols that is accepted as an official drawing and submitted.

[0074] The above-described application program for supporting pipeline diagram design is the pipeline diagram design support program of the present invention. That is, the pipeline diagram design support program is a program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: a plan line acquisition step of acquiring a plan line decomposed into a plurality of line elements; a bend angle calculation step of calculating the bend angles of bend points where the line elements intersect; and a bend point attribute setting step of defining attributes of bend points where the bend angles are at least a predetermined threshold value as intersection points where deformed pipes are to be placed, and setting attributes of bend points where the bend angles are less than the predetermined threshold value as pass-through indication points where straight pipes are to be placed.

[0075] The program also causes a computer to execute the following steps: a joint number calculation step for calculating the number of straight pipes that can be placed on the arc when the line element is an arc, and calculating the number of joints from the number of straight pipes; a maximum bending angle calculation step for calculating the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are placed on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angle of the joints; and a circular arc intersection necessity determination step for comparing the maximum bending angle with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc and determining whether an intersection is necessary.

[0076] Furthermore, the program causes a computer to execute a step of detecting the distance between bend points, which detects the distance between bend points, and a step of setting an adjacent intersection point, which extends the line segments on either side of the bend point and sets the point where they intersect as a new intersection point if the distance between the bend points is less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0077] The above-described embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited based on the description. It goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately modified and designed within the scope in which the effects of the present invention are achieved.

[0078] 10: Pipeline diagram design support device 10A: Computer main body 10B: Input device 10C: Display device 10D: 2D pipeline database 10E: Drawing model database 10F: 3D pipeline database 11: 2D pipeline information input section 12: 3D pipeline attribute information input section 13: 3D planning line conversion section 14: Intersection and passing instruction point generation section 15: 3D pipe division section 16: 3D pipe division evaluation section 17: Obstacle avoidance section 18: 3D pipeline generation section 19: Pipeline diagram conversion section

Claims

1. A pipeline diagram design support method for designing a pipeline diagram composed of a plurality of pipes using a computer, the method including: a planned line acquisition step of acquiring a planned line decomposed into a plurality of line elements; a bending angle calculation step of calculating a bending angle of a bending point where each line element intersects; and a bending point attribute setting step of defining an attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is at least a predetermined threshold or more as an intersection point for arranging a shaped pipe, and setting an attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold as a passing instruction point for arranging a straight pipe.

2. When the line element is an arc, the method further includes: a joint number calculation step of calculating the number of straight pipes that can be arranged on the arc and calculating the number of joints from the number of straight pipes; a maximum bending angle calculation step of calculating a maximum bending angle when straight pipes are arranged on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angle of the joints; and an arc section intersection arrangement necessity determination step of comparing the maximum bending angle with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc and determining the necessity of the intersection point.

3. The pipeline diagram design support method according to claim 1, further including: a bending point distance detection step of detecting the distance between the bending points; and an adjacent section intersection setting step of extending line segments on both sides of the bending point and setting an intersection point of the extended lines as a new intersection point when the distance between the bending points is less than a predetermined threshold.

4. A pipeline diagram design support device for generating a pipeline diagram composed of a plurality of pipes, the device including: a planned line acquisition unit for acquiring a planned line decomposed into a plurality of line elements; a bending angle calculation unit for calculating a bending angle of a bending point where each line element intersects; and a bending point attribute setting unit for defining an attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is at least a predetermined threshold or more as an intersection point for arranging a shaped pipe, and setting an attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold as a passing instruction point for arranging a straight pipe.

5. When the line element is an arc, the device further includes: a joint number calculation unit for calculating the number of straight pipes that can be arranged on the arc and calculating the number of joints from the number of straight pipes; a maximum bending angle calculation unit for calculating a maximum bending angle when straight pipes are arranged on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angle of the joints; and an arc section intersection arrangement necessity determination unit for comparing the maximum bending angle with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc and determining the necessity of the intersection point.

6. A pipeline diagram design support device according to claim 4, comprising: a bending point distance detection unit that detects the distance between the bending points; and an adjacent part intersection setting unit that, when the distance between the bending points is less than a predetermined threshold value, extends line segments on both sides of the bending points and sets the intersection point as a new intersection point.

7. A pipeline diagram design support program for generating a three-dimensional pipeline diagram composed of a plurality of pipes, the program causing a computer to execute: a planned line acquisition step of acquiring a planned line decomposed into a plurality of line elements; a bending angle calculation step of calculating a bending angle of a bending point where each line element intersects; and a bending point attribute setting step of defining an attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is at least equal to a predetermined threshold value as an intersection point where a deformed pipe is arranged, and setting an attribute of a bending point where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold value as a passing instruction point where a straight pipe is arranged.

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