Automatic Sighting Measuring Instrument for Tunnel Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring methods require extensive manual operation and are inefficient, especially in restricted time frames, such as underground railway tunnel construction, due to the need for precise angle and distance measurements of multiple points, which limits the range and speed of monitoring measurements.
Innovation Solution
A measuring method and instrument that automatically switch between short and long distance light amounts for sighting, perform coarse and precise measurements, and use image processing to detect and calculate directional angles of multiple objects, enabling efficient monitoring over a wide range without operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a low light amount is used for the distance measuring light, then the photodetection element is not saturated when the measuring point is at a short distance, but it becomes impossible to carry out the teaching operation for measuring points at a long distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the light amount of the distance measuring light variable rather than fixed. The light amount is dynamically adjusted based on the distance to the measuring point: a first light amount is used for short distances and a second light amount (higher than the first) is used for long distances. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain measurement precision at short distances while extending the measurement range to long distances, resolving the technical contradiction between measurement precision and measurement range.
2Measurement precision
If an operator manually sights each measuring point one by one, then accurate measurements can be obtained, but much time is required and working efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of the operator sighting each measuring point with an automated image recognition system. The imaging unit captures images of multiple measuring points simultaneously, and the arithmetic processing unit automatically identifies prism images, determines their positions, and calculates three-dimensional coordinates. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with automated optical and computational systems dramatically improves working efficiency while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image copying to capture visual information of multiple measuring points simultaneously. Instead of manually observing each point through a telescope, the imaging unit creates optical copies (images) of all measuring points within the field of view. The arithmetic processing unit then analyzes these image copies to extract position information, enabling rapid automated measurement of multiple points without the time-consuming sequential manual sighting process.
3Measurement precision
If the view angle of the sighting telescope is narrow, then accurate sighting can be achieved, but the time required for sighting increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the narrow-angle sighting telescope and the wide-angle imaging unit into a single integrated measuring instrument. The imaging unit captures images of multiple measuring points simultaneously across a wide field of view, while the telescope provides detailed viewing when needed. The arithmetic processing unit processes images from the wide-angle unit to identify and measure all prisms, eliminating the need for time-consuming sequential manual sighting while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the imaging unit to perform a preliminary partial action by capturing images of all measuring points in the field of view simultaneously. This excessive action (capturing more information than the narrow telescope could provide in the same time) allows the system to identify all prism positions at once, and then focus detailed measurement only on the identified targets, dramatically reducing total sighting time while maintaining precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method and instrument significantly reduce teaching operation time, allow for unmanned teaching, and expand the measurement range by automatically acquiring and processing images to determine accurate directional angles, enhancing working efficiency and covering distances from short to long ranges.
Implementation Method 1
an image pickup unit for taking an image by projecting a sighting light in sighting direction
Implementation Method 2
a distance measuring unit for projecting a distance measuring light through the telescope unit and for measuring a distance to the object to be measured
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a measuring method for performing monitoring measurement on two or more objects to be measured by a measuring instrument, which comprises a telescope unit for sighting an object to be measured, a distance measuring unit for projecting a distance measuring light through the telescope unit and for measuring a distance to the object to be measured, an image pickup unit for taking an image by projecting a sighting light in sighting direction and for acquiring digital image, an angle detecting unit for detecting a directional angle in sighting direction of the telescope unit and an automatic sighting unit for carrying out automatic sighting on the object to be measured by the telescope unit, comprising a step of setting up a searching range, a light amount switch-over step of switching over a light amount of projected sighting light to a light amount for a short distance or for a long distance, a short distance searching step of searching the searching range as the light amount for short distance and of performing a coarse measurement on the objects to be measured as positioned at short distance, a long distance searching step of searching the searching range as the light amount for long distance and performing a coarse measurement on the objects to be measured as positioned at long distance and a precise measurement step of carrying out automatic sighting on all objects to be measured based on the result of coarse measurement of the short distance searching and on the result of coarse measurement of the long distance searching and of distance measurement and angle measurement on each of the objects to be measured.