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

Abstract

[Problem]: To provide a pipeline diagram design assistance method by which even an inexperienced designer can design an appropriate bypass route. [Solution]: A pipeline diagram design assistance method for designing, using a computer, a three-dimensional pipeline diagram composed of a plurality of pipes, the method including: a three-dimensional pipeline layout diagram acquisition step for acquiring a three-dimensional pipeline layout diagram; an obstruction information input step for inputting obstruction information including the position of obstructions buried underground; an interference determination step for determining whether or not there is any interference between the obstruction information and the three-dimensional pipeline layout diagram; a required-clearance region calculation step for calculating a required-clearance region for an obstruction when it was determined in the interference determination step that there is interference; a reroute pattern presentation step for generating, and presenting to an operator, reroute patterns for the pipeline in which the required-clearance region is secured; and a pipeline layout diagram updating step for updating the pipeline layout diagram by using a pipeline that corresponds to a reroute pattern selected by the operator from the reroute patterns.

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 newly laid pipeline or a pipeline for updating an existing pipeline using a pipeline diagram creation support device installed with an application program for creating a pipeline diagram, the position of a special-shaped pipe such as a curved pipe is indicated as an intersection point on a pipeline diagram layer superimposed on a two-dimensional map layer displayed on the screen via a pointing device, and a two-dimensional planned piping route, that is, a two-dimensional planned line, is created so that the special-shaped pipes arranged at each intersection point are connected by a plurality of straight pipes.

[0003] Then, in order to connect the special-shaped pipes arranged at each intersection point of the two-dimensional planned line with straight pipes, a pipe division process that can automatically calculate the number of straight pipes arranged along the two-dimensional planned line, the joining angle of the joints, the presence or absence of pipe cutting, etc., and a piping design support device with a guidance function that can quickly and appropriately design a bypass pipeline according to the size and position of obstacles buried underground have also been proposed. )]

[0004] In recent years, three-dimensional mapping technology for visualizing underground buried objects such as power lines, communication lines, gas pipes, water pipes, and sewer pipes buried underground using a computer in three dimensions has been under development, and a three-dimensional design support device that combines the above-described pipeline diagram creation support device for designing a two-dimensional pipeline diagram and the three-dimensional mapping technology is desired.

[0005] Even when creating a three-dimensional planned line by a three-dimensional design support device, when an existing buried object becomes an obstacle to the three-dimensional planned line, it is necessary to bypass the pipe laying route in order to avoid interference with the obstacle.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-189923, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-85036

[0007] However, countless detours to avoid obstacles are conceivable, and creating an appropriate detour route while taking into account actual constructability and other factors requires skilled personnel with accumulated know-how. In recent years, however, the number of such skilled personnel has been decreasing, and there is a need for a 3D design support system that can enable even inexperienced designers to create appropriate detour routes.

[0008] The objective of this invention is to provide a pipeline diagram design support method, a pipeline diagram design support device, and a pipeline diagram design support program that enable even inexperienced designers to design appropriate detour routes.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the 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 three-dimensional pipeline diagram composed of multiple pipes using a computer, comprising: a three-dimensional pipeline diagram acquisition step for acquiring a three-dimensional pipeline diagram; an obstacle information input step for inputting obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; an interference determination step for determining whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the three-dimensional pipeline diagram; a required separation area calculation step for calculating the required separation area from the obstacle if interference is determined to exist in the interference determination step; an avoidance pattern presentation step for generating avoidance patterns of pipelines that secure the required separation area and presenting them to the operator; and a pipeline diagram update step for updating the pipeline diagram with pipelines corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns.

[0010] In the obstacle information input step, the location and size of the obstacle, i.e., the buried object, are entered. In the 3D pipe layout diagram acquisition step, the interference determination step is executed on the 3D pipe layout diagram obtained, determining whether there is interference between the obstacle and the pipe. The relationship between interfering obstacles and pipes is automatically extracted, and pipes that need to be rerouted are identified. Next, the required clearance area calculation step is executed, and the area surrounding the obstacle and where pipes cannot be laid is calculated as the required clearance area. In the avoidance pattern presentation step, avoidance patterns that can be rerouted are automatically generated from the pre-prepared avoidance patterns and the required clearance area and presented to the operator. In the pipe layout diagram update step, the pipe layout diagram is updated with the pipeline corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator. Regardless of which avoidance pattern the operator selects from the avoidance patterns presented in the avoidance pattern presentation step, a detour pipeline that appropriately avoids the obstacle is automatically generated.

[0011] The second characteristic configuration is that, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the required separation area calculation step further includes an integrated required separation area calculation step that calculates an integrated required separation area that encompasses two or more required separation areas when the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive.

[0012] When the required separation areas for two or more obstacles are consecutive, avoidance patterns are presented for an integrated required separation area that encompasses the two or more required separation areas, thereby enabling the efficient automatic generation of detour pipelines.

[0013] The first characteristic configuration of the pipeline diagram design support device according to the present invention is a pipeline diagram design support device for designing a three-dimensional pipeline diagram, comprising: a three-dimensional pipeline diagram acquisition unit for acquiring a three-dimensional pipeline diagram; an obstacle information input unit for inputting obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; an interference determination unit for determining whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the three-dimensional pipeline diagram; a necessary separation area calculation unit for calculating the necessary separation area from the obstacle when the interference determination unit determines that there is interference; an avoidance pattern presentation unit for generating avoidance patterns of pipelines that secure the necessary separation area and presenting them to the operator; and a pipeline diagram update unit for updating the pipeline diagram with pipelines corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns.

[0014] The second characteristic configuration is that, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the required separation area calculation unit further includes an integrated required separation area calculation unit that calculates an integrated required separation area that encompasses two or more required separation areas when the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive.

[0015] The first characteristic configuration of the pipeline diagram design support program according to the present invention is a pipeline diagram design support program for designing a three-dimensional pipeline diagram, wherein the program causes the computer to execute the following steps: an obstacle information input step for inputting obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; a three-dimensional pipe layout diagram acquisition step for acquiring a three-dimensional pipe layout diagram; an obstacle information input step for inputting obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; an interference determination step for determining whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the three-dimensional pipe layout diagram; a required separation area calculation step for calculating the required separation area from the obstacle if interference is determined to exist in the interference determination step; an avoidance pattern presentation step for generating avoidance patterns of pipelines that secure the required separation area and presenting them to the operator; and a pipe layout diagram update step for updating the pipe layout diagram with pipelines corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns.

[0016] The second characteristic configuration is that, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the required separation area calculation step further causes the computer to perform an integrated required separation area calculation step, which calculates an integrated required separation area that encompasses two or more required separation areas when the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive.

[0017] As described above, the present invention provides a pipeline diagram design support method, a pipeline diagram design support device, and a pipeline diagram design support program that can efficiently design a three-dimensional pipeline diagram using a two-dimensional pipeline diagram designed with an existing pipeline diagram creation support device.

[0018] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of a pipeline diagram design support device. Figure 2A is an explanatory diagram of a two-dimensional plan line showing the laying route of main pipes and branch pipes connecting specified intersections. Figure 2B is an explanatory diagram of a three-dimensional plan line converted from a two-dimensional plan line based on attribute information. Figure 3A is an explanatory diagram of a two-dimensional plan line superimposed on a three-dimensional map. Figure 3B is an explanatory diagram of a three-dimensional plan line converted from a two-dimensional plan line. Figure 3C is an explanatory diagram of a pipeline diagram in which a three-dimensional pipeline model with pipe divisions drawn on the three-dimensional plan line is drawn. Figure 4A is an explanatory diagram of the automatic generation procedure for intersections and passage indicators. Figure 4B is an explanatory diagram of the automatic generation procedure for intersections and passage indicators. Figure 4C is an explanatory diagram of the automatic generation procedure for intersections and passage indicators. Figure 4D is an explanatory diagram of the automatic generation procedure for intersections and passage indicators. Figure 5A is an explanatory diagram of a two-dimensional drawing model of a straight pipe. Figure 5B is an explanatory diagram of a two-dimensional drawing model of a shaped pipe. Figure 5C is an explanatory diagram of a three-dimensional drawing model of a straight pipe. Figure 5D is an explanatory diagram of a 3D drawing model of a pipe shape. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the 2D drawing model and the 3D drawing model. Figure 7 is a flowchart of a pipeline diagram design support method. Figure 8A is a flowchart of a method for creating a pipe layout diagram along a 3D plan line. Figure 8B is an explanatory diagram of the calculation method used in creating a pipe layout diagram along a 3D plan line. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure of a 3D pipeline diagram design support method that automatically avoids obstacles.

[0019] The pipeline diagram design support method, pipeline diagram design support device, and pipeline diagram design support program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Configuration diagram of pipeline diagram design support device] The pipeline diagram design support device 10 is realized when an application program for pipeline design support is executed on a computer, and Figure 1 shows the functional block configuration of the pipeline diagram design support device 10.

[0020] The pipeline diagram design support device 10 comprises a computer unit 10A, input devices 10B such as a keyboard or pointing device such as a mouse connected to the computer unit 10A, display devices 10C such as a touch panel display device, and storage devices 10D, 10E, and 10F. Storage device 10D is a two-dimensional pipeline database, storage device 10E is a drawing model database, and storage device 10F is a three-dimensional pipeline database.

[0021] The 2D pipeline database 10D stores a 2D background map showing buildings and roads, 2D planning lines placed on the background map, and a 2D pipeline diagram created by dividing the 2D planning lines into pipes. The drawing model database 10E stores pipe material data, that is, information on multiple pipes defining specifications such as pipe type (irregular pipes, straight pipes, etc.) and diameter, and associates 2D symbols and 3D symbols for each pipe. The 3D pipeline database 10F stores a 3D map showing underground structures such as power lines, communication lines, gas pipes, water pipes, and sewer pipes buried beneath roads, 3D planning lines, and a 3D pipeline diagram created by dividing the 3D planning lines into pipes. The 2D pipeline database 10D and the 3D pipeline database 10F may be integrated into a single pipeline database.

[0022] The computer unit 10A includes a CPU board, a memory board, and multiple input / output interface circuits 10IF, which include interface circuits for data input / output processing with input devices 10B and display devices 10C, interfaces for data reading and writing with storage devices 10D, 10E, and 10F, and interfaces for communication processing with other external devices. The CPU operates based on an operation system program stored in the memory of the memory board, and the application program, also stored in the memory of the memory board, is executed by the CPU to realize the intended function. In this example, the pipeline diagram design support device 10 is configured by storing a pipeline diagram design support program as the application program in memory, and the pipeline diagram design support method is executed by the CPU. The pipeline diagram design support program is stored in memory via a medium such as a portable storage medium or a communication medium. The computer unit 10A embodying the present invention includes a configuration consisting of a standalone computer and a configuration in which the functions are divided among multiple computers that can communicate with each other.

[0023] The computer unit 10A includes a 2D pipeline information input unit 11, a 3D pipeline attribute information input unit 12, a 3D plan line conversion unit 13, an intersection / passage point generation unit 14, a 3D pipeline division unit 15, a 3D pipeline division evaluation unit 16, an obstacle avoidance unit 17, a 3D pipeline diagram generation unit 18, a pipeline diagram conversion unit 19, and other components, which are all integrated circuits such as a CPU and registers that function as calculation blocks, as shown below.

[0024] The two-dimensional pipeline information input unit 11 is a processing unit that reads and inputs the background diagram stored in the two-dimensional pipeline database 10D and the two-dimensional plan lines drawn on the background diagram that indicate the pipe laying route.

[0025] The 3D pipeline attribute information input unit 12 is a processing unit that inputs attribute information necessary to convert the 2D plan lines input by the 2D pipeline information input unit 11 into 3D plan lines. The attribute information includes information on the burial depth of the pipeline laid along the 2D plan lines, ground surface elevation information, and pipeline type and nominal diameter information.

[0026] The 3D design line conversion unit 13 is a processing unit that converts 2D design lines into 3D design lines based on 3D pipeline attribute information input in the 3D pipeline attribute information input unit 12.

[0027] The intersection / passage point generation unit 14 is a processing unit that automatically generates intersection points IP and passage point CP from a 3D plan line converted from a 2D plan line. It includes a plan line acquisition unit 14A that acquires a plan line decomposed into multiple line elements, a bending angle calculation unit 14B that calculates the bending angle of the bending points where each line element intersects, and a bending point attribute setting unit 14C that defines the attributes of bending points where the bending angle is at least equal to a predetermined threshold as intersection points where irregularly shaped pipes are placed, and sets the attributes of bending points where the bending angle is less than a predetermined threshold as passage point where straight pipes are placed.

[0028] Furthermore, the intersection / passage point generation unit 14 includes a joint number calculation unit 14D that calculates the number of straight pipes that can be placed in 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 14E that calculates the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are placed in the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angle of the joints, and an arc section intersection placement necessity determination unit 14F that compares the maximum bending angle with the size of the central angle of the arc and determines whether an intersection point is necessary. In addition, the intersection / passage point generation unit 14 includes a bending point distance detection unit 14G that detects the interval between bending points, and an adjacent section intersection setting unit 14H that extends the line segments adjacent to the bending point and sets the point where they intersect as a new intersection point when the distance between bending points is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0029] The 3D pipe division unit 15 is a processing unit that automatically performs pipe division processing on a 3D design line. It places irregularly shaped pipes at the intersection IPs of the 3D design line, calculates the number of straight pipes and whether or not there are cut pipes to connect the irregularly shaped pipes placed at the intersection IPs, and arranges them so as to follow the 3D design line.

[0030] The 3D pipe division evaluation unit 16 is a processing unit that evaluates the appropriateness of the 3D pipe division diagram obtained by the 3D pipe division unit 15, and includes an evaluation point identification unit 16A that identifies the positions of multiple pipe joints that will be evaluation points from the 3D pipe division diagram obtained by the 3D pipe division unit 15, an evaluation value calculation unit 16B that calculates the sum of the shortest distances from each evaluation point to the 3D plan 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 joint corresponding to each evaluation point is changed using Newton's method, and a pipe joint adjustment unit 16D that moves the position of the pipe joint so that the bending amount minimizes the evaluation value obtained in the bending amount calculation step.

[0031] The obstacle avoidance unit 17 is a processing unit that sets the laying route so as to arrange the pipeline to bypass obstacles buried underground, and includes an obstacle information input unit 17A that inputs obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground, an interference determination unit 17B that determines whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the pipeline layout diagram, a required separation area calculation unit 17C that calculates the required separation area from the obstacle if the interference determination unit 17B determines that there is interference, an avoidance pattern presentation unit 17D that generates avoidance patterns for pipelines that secure the required separation area and presents them to the operator, and a pipeline layout diagram update unit 17E that updates the pipeline layout diagram with the pipeline corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns.

[0032] The 3D pipeline diagram generation unit 18 is a processing unit that draws each pipe constituting the 3D pipe layout diagram using 3D symbols. The 3D symbols consist of a 3D pipe body drawing model and a 3D joint drawing model obtained from the drawing model database 10E.

[0033] The drawing model database 10E includes pipe material information for managing individual pipes, pipe body drawing model IDs and joint drawing model IDs assigned to each pipe managed by the pipe material information, and in addition to 3D pipe body drawing models and 3D joint drawing models associated with the pipe body drawing model IDs and the joint drawing model IDs, it also includes 2D pipe body drawing models and 2D joint drawing models.

[0034] The pipeline diagram conversion unit 19 is a processing unit that converts between 3D symbols and 2D symbols by referring to the pipeline model DB 10E in order to draw each pipe in a 3D pipeline diagram drawn using 3D symbols using 2D symbols.

[0035] [Method for supporting pipeline diagram design] The pipeline diagram design support method using the pipeline diagram design support device 10 described above will be explained below based on the flowchart in Figure 7. Figure 2(a) shows an example of a two-dimensional plan line (shown as a dashed line) created on the XY plane where the background map is shown. A two-dimensional plan line refers to the pipe laying route composed of polylines or splines that pass through multiple points Pn (n=1, 2, ...) specified by the operator with a pointing device on the map displayed on the screen of the display device 10C.

[0036] In the pipe laying route, irregularly shaped pipes and valves are placed at predetermined locations, and each irregularly shaped pipe and valve is connected with straight pipes or cut pipes. In this embodiment, an example is described in which an earthquake-resistant joint that allows bending at a predetermined angle is used as a straight pipe.

[0037] Such two-dimensional plan lines can be created using the pipeline diagram design support device of the present invention, or they may be created in advance using a pipeline diagram design support device specifically designed for two dimensions. The two-dimensional pipeline information input unit 11 reads the two-dimensional pipeline information, including the background diagram and the two-dimensional plan lines described above, which have been created in advance and stored in the two-dimensional pipeline database 10D, and expands it into the working area set in the memory area of ​​the pipeline diagram design support device (SA1).

[0038] The 3D pipeline attribute information input unit 12 performs a process (SA2) to input 3D pipeline attribute information, including pipe burial depth information, which is necessary to convert the 2D plan line input in step SA1 into a 3D plan line. 3D pipeline attribute information includes geographical information such as elevation and soil cover of the area where the pipe will be laid, and pipe information such as pipe type and nominal diameter of the pipe to be laid. When the operator selects an intersection IP or line segment connecting intersection IPs of the input 2D plan line with the mouse, options for elevation, soil cover, and pipe information for the corresponding location are displayed, and by selecting the appropriate item from the displayed options, the 3D pipeline attribute information for the 2D plan line is input.

[0039] Once the operator has finished inputting 3D attribute information for the 2D plan line, the 3D plan line conversion unit 13 is activated and the 3D plan line conversion process is executed (SA3). The 3D plan line conversion process calculates the depth information of each intersection IP and traversal instruction point CP of the 2D plan line based on the 3D attribute information and unfolds it in 3D space.

[0040] For points P1, P2, P3, and P4 on the two-dimensional plan line shown in Figure 2A, burial depth information ΔZ1, ΔZ2, ΔZ3, and ΔZ4 are calculated, and a three-dimensional plan line is obtained by line segments passing through each point P1', P2', P3', and P4' where the burial depth is set. Figure 2B shows the three-dimensional plan line obtained in this way. As the burial depth information ΔZ, a value obtained by adding half the length of the pipe's outer diameter, which is obtained based on the pipe's nominal diameter information, to the soil cover information is used. Through this process, the axis of the pipe can be aligned with the three-dimensional plan line.

[0041] If the burial depth information ΔZ of points Pn-1' and Pn' is different, the plan line between them will either have a proportionally distributed burial depth based on the burial depths of points Pn-1' and Pn', or a new point Pm' will be generated near one of the points Pn-1' where the burial depth information matches that of the other point Pn', and a plan line with a constant burial depth will be created between the new point Pm' and the other point Pn', and a plan line connecting the new point Pm' and one of the points Pn-1' will be added. The operator can select either option to create the 3D plan line. The new point Pm' can be set directly above or below one of the points Pn-1'. Figure 3A shows the 2D plan line, and Figure 3B shows the 3D plan line generated based on the 2D plan line. Figure 3C shows the 3D pipeline diagram drawn with 3D symbols drawn in the 3D pipeline diagram generation process described later.

[0042] In some cases, it may be difficult to directly use the intersection point IP and passing instruction point CP specified by the 2D planning line for the 3D planning line thus converted. When performing pipe splitting on the 3D planning line, it is necessary for the operator to pre-evaluate whether it is possible to arrange the pipe in a curvature that allows curved piping and with an acceptable pipe cutting length. However, it is difficult for an operator with low experience values to perform such a pre-evaluation. Therefore, when the operator activates the intersection / passing instruction point generation unit 14, the intersection point IP and passing instruction point CP are automatically generated for the 3D planning line (SA4).

[0043] The intersection / passing instruction point generation unit 14 acquires the 3D planning line converted by the 3D planning line conversion unit 13. The 2D planning line input by the 2D pipeline information input unit 11 is decomposed into a plurality of line elements in advance, where the 2D planning line configured by a polyline or a spline at the design time, and the 3D planning line is also decomposed into a plurality of line elements. That is, the polyline is divided into line segments and arcs, and the spline is approximated by a broken line. The length of the broken line is set based on the length of the straight pipe to be laid, for example, set to the length of the straight pipe or half of its length.

[0044] First, the start point and end point of the planning line, and the points where the planning line intersects are set as the intersection point IP. Subsequently, a bending angle calculation process for calculating the bending angle of the bending point where each line element intersects is performed. The attribute of the bending point where the bending angle is at least a predetermined threshold or more is defined as the intersection point IP for arranging a shaped pipe, and a bending point attribute setting process for setting the attribute of the bending point where the bending angle is less than the predetermined threshold as the passing instruction point CP for arranging a straight pipe is executed. The predetermined threshold is set based on the minimum angle of the curved pipe, which is 5.625°. Also, for the spline, among the points on the spline, the point with the maximum curvature and the bending angle of the approximate broken line being at least the threshold or more is defined as the intersection point IP, and the point with the bending angle of the approximate broken line being less than the threshold is defined as the passing instruction point CP.

[0045] Figure 4A shows a part of a planned line divided into three straight line elements, where an example is shown in which the first bending point is set at the passing instruction point CP and the second bending point is set at the intersection point IP. Figure 4B shows an example in which, among the splines, the first bending point where the curvature is maximum and the bending angle is less than the threshold value is set at the passing instruction point CP, and the third bending point where the curvature is maximum and the bending angle is greater than or equal to the threshold value is set at the intersection point IP.

[0046] The intersection / passing instruction point generation unit 14 further executes a joint number calculation process 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 when the line element is an arc, a maximum bending angle calculation process for calculating the maximum bending angle when straight pipes are arranged on the arc from the number of joints and the allowable bending angle of the joint (set to 2° in this embodiment), and an arc part intersection arrangement necessity determination process for comparing the maximum bending angle with the magnitude of the central angle of the arc and determining the necessity of the intersection point IP.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4C, from the length L of the arc and the length p of the straight pipe, the number N of straight pipes to be laid in the arc part is obtained by the following formula. N = ceiling(L / P) … ceiling(X) is the value obtained by rounding up the decimal part of X to an integer. From the number of straight pipes and the allowable bending angle α, the maximum bending angle θ is obtained by the following formula. θ = (N - 1) × α. If the maximum bending angle θ is less than or equal to the central angle φ of the arc, it is determined that the curved pipe is not required to be inserted, and the connection position of the straight pipe is set as the passing instruction point CP. When the maximum bending angle θ is greater than the central angle φ of the arc, the number of curved pipes, which are the special-shaped pipes to be inserted, is obtained according to the difference between the maximum bending angle θ and the central angle φ, and the arrangement position of the curved pipes is set as the intersection point IP.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4D, the intersection / passing instruction point generation unit 14 further executes a bending point distance detection process for detecting the distance between bending points (shown as white circles in the figure), and an adjacent part intersection setting process for extending the line segments on both sides of the bending point and setting the intersection point of the extended lines as a new intersection point IP when the distance between the bending points is less than a predetermined threshold value. The predetermined threshold value is the minimum length of the pipe cut for connecting the special-shaped pipes arranged at the bending points. Figures 4A to 4D are shown in 2D for easy understanding, but actually, the processing is in 3D.

[0049] The automatic setting process of intersection IP and passing point CP by the intersection / passing point generation unit 14 described above is applicable not only to 3D plan lines but also to 2D plan lines, and intersection IP and passing point CP can be automatically set for 2D plan lines using the same procedure as described above.

[0050] For a three-dimensional plan line with intersection points IP and passing instruction points CP, the three-dimensional pipe splitting unit 15 performs pipe splitting (SA5). Basically, similar to the known automatic pipe splitting process for two-dimensional plan lines, predetermined irregularly shaped pipes are placed at the intersection points IP, and straight pipes and necessary cut pipes are placed between the irregularly shaped pipes. That is, the distance between intersection points IP along the plan line is determined, and the integer value obtained by dividing this distance by the length of the straight pipes is calculated as the number of straight pipes, with the remainder being the length of the cut pipes. If the plan line is a curve, the bending angle of the joints is provisionally set so that straight pipes are placed along the curve.

[0051] The validity of the 3D pipe layout diagram is evaluated by the 3D pipe layout evaluation unit 16, and the bending angles of the straight pipes are adjusted based on the results (SA6, SA7).

[0052] As shown in Figure 8A, the 3D pipe division evaluation unit 16 performs the following steps: an evaluation point identification process (SB1) which identifies the positions of multiple pipe joints that will be evaluation points from the 3D pipe division diagram obtained by the 3D pipe division unit 15; an evaluation value calculation process (SB2) which calculates the sum of the shortest distances from each evaluation point to the 3D plan line as the evaluation value; a bending amount calculation process (SB3) which calculates the bending amount that minimizes the evaluation value when the bending amount of the pipe joint corresponding to each evaluation point is changed using Newton's method; a pipe joint adjustment process (SB5) which moves the position of the pipe joint so that the bending amount minimizes the evaluation value obtained in the bending amount calculation step; and a determination process (SB5) which repeatedly executes steps SB2, SB3, and SB4 until the evaluation value saturates.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8B, the 3D pipe division evaluation unit 16 uses the joints of straight pipes in the 3D pipe division diagram as evaluation points and obtains the bending angle θ = {θi} of the joint as an initial value. The shortest distance Δai (i = 1, 2, ...) from each joint to the planned line f(x) is calculated using the following formula, and the residual vector is calculated as the evaluation target value e, which is the sum of the two values. Δai = |gi(θi) - f(xi)| where f(x) is a function of the planned line and gi(θ) is a function of the joint angle representing the i-th evaluation position e = {Δai}

[0054] In the evaluation value calculation process, the response of the value to be evaluated to the change in the joint angle is calculated using Newton's method, and the angle joint angle that minimizes the quadratic norm of the value to be evaluated is found. That is, the amount of update of the joint angle parameter is calculated using the Jacobian matrix J = (δei / δθj) value so that the residual is minimized. Δθ = {Δθi} = (J Ｔ J) －１ J Ｔ e*w; w < 1, w is the update weight

[0055] The obstacle avoidance unit 17 performs obstacle avoidance processing on the optimized 3D pipe layout diagram. The obstacle avoidance unit 17 performs obstacle information input processing, which inputs obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; interference determination processing, which determines whether there is interference between the obstacle information and the pipe layout diagram; required separation area calculation processing, which calculates the required separation area from the obstacle if interference is determined by the interference determination process; avoidance pattern presentation processing, which presents avoidance patterns of pipelines that secure the required separation area to the operator; and pipe layout diagram update processing, which updates the pipe layout diagram with the pipeline corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns. Furthermore, if the required separation area calculation processing involves two or more consecutive required separation areas, it performs integrated required separation area calculation processing to calculate an integrated required separation area that encompasses the two or more required separation areas. The required separation area is set to a size that includes the mounting space for joining tools and other equipment used during pipe laying work.

[0056] In the obstruction information input process, the location and size of potentially obstructive buried objects are determined from a two-dimensional background map showing the location of buried objects and a three-dimensional underground map. The two-dimensional background map is stored in the two-dimensional pipeline database 10D, and the three-dimensional underground map is stored in the three-dimensional pipeline database 10F, or can be imported from map databases of public institutions or private companies via a communication interface.

[0057] In the interference detection process, the positional relationship between each divided pipe and all obstacles is detected, and all obstacles located on or adjacent to the pipe path are extracted. In the required separation area calculation process, the required separation area for all extracted obstacles, that is, the area surrounding the obstacles, is calculated to avoid interference with the pipes. The shape of the required separation area is not particularly limited and can be any shape, such as a spherical area, a rectangular area, or a cylindrical area.

[0058] Figures 9A to 9D show explanatory diagrams illustrating the procedure for obstacle avoidance. Figure 9A shows the pipeline laid out along the planned line and the obstacles (hatched circles) recognized by the obstacle information input process. The figure shows a single obstacle and four densely packed obstacles.

[0059] As shown in Figure 9B, if the interference detection process determines that an obstacle and a pipeline are interfering with each other, or are so close that they may hinder construction during installation, the required separation area calculation process calculates the required separation area (a circular area surrounding the obstacle). If the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive or close together, a combined required separation area (a rectangular area indicated by a dashed line) is calculated that encompasses each of the required separation areas. The required separation area and the combined required separation area can be set as appropriate, such as a spherical area, a rectangular area, or a cylindrical area.

[0060] Although not shown in the diagram, when a required clearance area or a combined required clearance area is selected, a avoidance pattern presentation process is executed, and multiple avoidance patterns that bypass the required clearance area or the combined required clearance area are displayed on the screen as a menu. Avoidance patterns include inverted piping that bypasses below the obstacle, overhead piping that bypasses above the obstacle, rerouting piping that bypasses the obstacle horizontally, and twisted piping that bypasses diagonally by combining both depth and horizontal directions, allowing the user to select the appropriate avoidance pattern based on the characteristics of the obstacle.

[0061] In the avoidance pattern presentation process, a detour route (avoidance route) is automatically generated based on predetermined detour route design information for each avoidance pattern. The detour design information includes obstacle location information that shows the relative position of the obstacle to a reference plane according to the nature of the detour route, detour route location information that shows the relative position of a detour route that can avoid the obstacle and includes at least one bending point relative to the reference plane, and pipe type information that includes the angle of at least the curved pipes and joint information that constitute the detour route.

[0062] When the detour is an underpass or an overpass, the reference plane is set to the ground; when the detour is a turn, the reference plane is set to a vertical plane perpendicular to the ground; and when the detour is a twist, the reference plane is set to an inclined plane at a predetermined angle θ relative to the ground or a vertical plane perpendicular to the ground.

[0063] As shown in Figure 9D, an inverted piping system is a type of piping that bypasses an obstacle by placing two curved pipes on the upstream and downstream sides of the obstacle along the pipe's laying direction, and connecting each curved pipe using straight and cut pipes. For such an inverted piping system, the obstacle location information includes the depth from the ground to the bottom of the obstacle and the width or outer diameter of the pipe in the laying direction. The bypass route location information is automatically calculated and includes the soil cover of the existing pipeline at the connection point, the soil cover of the pipeline after the bypass, the distance along the laying direction from the end of the existing pipe to the obstacle, the depth distance between the obstacle and the inverted piping system, and the length from the obstacle to the curved pipe located at the deepest point of the inverted piping system. These values ​​are pre-set based on the required clearance area or the integrated required clearance area.

[0064] In other words, the detour piping consists of four curved pipes placed at the start, end, and intermediate points of the detour, and straight and cut pipes connecting each curved pipe. Depending on the required clearance area or integrated required clearance area, the actual configuration of the selected avoidance pattern, i.e., the angle of the curved pipes, the number of straight pipes and the length of the cut pipes, is automatically calculated and updated to a 3D pipe layout diagram that avoids obstacles. When an avoidance pattern is applied to a 3D plan line, new intersection points (IPs) will be generated at the locations of the curved pipes.

[0065] As shown in Figure 9D, the 3D pipeline diagram generation unit 18 performs a pipe layout model drawing process (SA9) on the optimized pipe layout diagram in this manner, and a 3D pipeline diagram is generated by drawing the 3D symbols of each pipe obtained by the 3D pipe layout process along the 3D design lines. Figure 3C shows a 3D pipeline diagram drawn with the 3D symbols drawn by the 3D pipeline diagram generation unit 18.

[0066] The 3D pipeline diagram generation unit 18 generates a 3D pipeline diagram by drawing the 3D symbols of each pipe obtained by the 3D pipe division process along the 3D design lines. The 3D symbols drawn in the 3D pipeline diagram generation process consist of a 3D pipe body drawing model and a 3D joint drawing model obtained from the drawing model database 10E.

[0067] Figure 5A shows a two-dimensional symbol representing a straight pipe body and fittings, and Figure 5B shows a two-dimensional symbol representing a branched pipe, which is a pipe of a different shape. In both cases, there is no difference in the two-dimensional symbol representing the fittings. Figure 5C shows a three-dimensional symbol representing a straight pipe body and fittings, and Figure 5D shows a three-dimensional symbol representing a branched pipe, which is a pipe of a different shape. The three-dimensional symbols representing each fitting differ significantly in shape. Therefore, even if the two-dimensional pipe body model in the drawing model database that defines the existing two-dimensional symbols is replaced with a three-dimensional pipe body model, and the two-dimensional fitting model is replaced with a three-dimensional fitting model, it is not possible to construct an accurate three-dimensional symbol.

[0068] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the drawing model database 10E includes pipe material information, such as pipe type and nominal diameter, which manages each pipe individually. Each pipe managed by the pipe material information is assigned a pipe drawing model ID and a joint drawing model ID. The database also includes a 3D pipe drawing model and a 3D joint drawing model associated with the pipe drawing model ID and joint drawing model ID, as well as a 2D pipe drawing model associated with the pipe drawing model ID. The pipe material information includes information on all pipe materials that can be selected in the pipe division process. The 2D pipe drawing model integrates 2D joint drawing models of the same shape, and is configured so that a 2D symbol can be extracted using only the pipe drawing model ID.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Even if a 3D pipeline diagram created using the aforementioned pipeline diagram design support device and represented by 3D symbols is not accepted as an official drawing to be submitted to a government agency, it can be converted into a 3D pipeline diagram represented by 2D symbols, which is accepted as an official drawing, and submitted in that format.

[0071] The application program for road layout drawing support described above constitutes the pipeline diagram design support program of the present invention. Specifically, the pipeline diagram design support program for designing a three-dimensional pipeline diagram is a program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: an obstacle information input step in which obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground is input; a three-dimensional pipeline layout acquisition step in which a three-dimensional pipeline layout diagram is obtained; an obstacle information input step in which obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground is input; an interference determination step in which it determines whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the three-dimensional pipeline layout diagram; a required separation area calculation step in which, if interference is determined to exist in the interference determination step, the required separation area from the obstacle is calculated; an avoidance pattern presentation step in which avoidance patterns of pipelines that secure the required separation area are presented to the operator; and a pipeline layout update step in which the pipeline layout diagram is updated with pipelines corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns.

[0072] Furthermore, the required separation area calculation step causes the computer to perform an integrated required separation area calculation step if the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive, in order to calculate an integrated required separation area that encompasses the two or more required separation areas.

[0073] The embodiments described above represent one aspect of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited based on this description. It goes without saying that the design can be modified as appropriate within the scope in which the effects of the present invention are achieved.

[0074] 10: Pipe layout diagram design support device 10A: Computer main unit 10B: Input device 10C: Display device 10D: 2D pipeline database 10E: Drawing model database 10F: 3D pipeline database 11: 2D pipeline information input unit 12: 3D pipeline attribute information input unit 13: 3D plan line conversion unit 14: Intersection / passage point generation unit 15: 3D pipeline layout unit 16: 3D pipeline layout evaluation unit 17: Obstacle avoidance unit 18: 3D pipeline generation unit 19: Pipe layout diagram conversion unit

Claims

1. A pipeline diagram design support method for designing a three-dimensional pipeline diagram composed of multiple pipes using a computer, comprising: a three-dimensional pipeline diagram acquisition step for acquiring a three-dimensional pipeline diagram; an obstacle information input step for inputting obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; an interference determination step for determining whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the three-dimensional pipeline diagram; a required separation area calculation step for calculating the required separation area from the obstacle if interference is determined to exist in the interference determination step; an avoidance pattern presentation step for generating avoidance patterns of pipelines that secure the required separation area and presenting them to the operator; and a pipeline diagram update step for updating the pipeline diagram with pipelines corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns.

2. The pipeline diagram design support method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of calculating an integrated required separation area when the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive, the integrated required separation area that encompasses two or more required separation areas.

3. A pipeline diagram design support device for designing a three-dimensional pipeline diagram, comprising: a three-dimensional pipeline diagram acquisition unit for acquiring a three-dimensional pipeline diagram; an obstacle information input unit for inputting obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; an interference determination unit for determining whether or not there is interference between the obstacle information and the three-dimensional pipeline diagram; a required separation area calculation unit for calculating the required separation area from the obstacle when the interference determination unit determines that there is interference; an avoidance pattern presentation unit for generating avoidance patterns of pipelines that secure the required separation area and presenting them to the operator; and a pipeline diagram update unit for updating the pipeline diagram with pipelines corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns.

4. The pipeline diagram design support device according to claim 3, further comprising an integrated required separation area calculation unit that calculates an integrated required separation area that encompasses two or more required separation areas when the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive.

5. A pipeline diagram design support program for designing a three-dimensional pipeline diagram, comprising: an obstacle information input step for inputting obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; a three-dimensional pipeline layout acquisition step for acquiring a three-dimensional pipeline layout diagram; an obstacle information input step for inputting obstacle information including the location of obstacles buried underground; an interference determination step for determining whether there is interference between the obstacle information and the three-dimensional pipeline layout diagram; a required separation area calculation step for calculating the required separation area from the obstacle if interference is determined to exist in the interference determination step; an avoidance pattern presentation step for generating avoidance patterns for pipelines that secure the required separation area and presenting them to the operator; and a pipeline layout update step for updating the pipeline layout diagram with pipelines corresponding to the avoidance pattern selected by the operator from the avoidance patterns, wherein the program causes the computer to execute these steps.

6. The pipeline diagram design support program of claim 5, further comprising a step of calculating an integrated required separation area when the required separation areas of two or more obstacles are consecutive, the integrated required separation area that includes two or more required separation areas.

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