Automated Crack Measuring Apparatus Using Infrared Thermal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring cracks in structural objects require manual operation and time-consuming data association across multiple sensors, making automated three-dimensional measurements inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A crack measuring apparatus with a distance-measuring unit, image pickup unit, infrared image pickup unit, and arithmetic control unit that automates the search for cracks using temperature differences in infrared images and pixel-based image processing to acquire three-dimensional absolute coordinates and measure crack dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual operation is performed with scaffolding and visual checking, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but operation time and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service through automated crack detection and measurement. The image pickup unit captures wall surface images, the arithmetic control unit automatically processes these images to detect cracks, and the system autonomously calculates crack dimensions and positions without requiring manual intervention at each measurement point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with an automated optical and computational system. Instead of operators using visual checking and manual tools, the system uses image pickup units to capture images, arithmetic control units to process them, and automated calculations to determine crack characteristics, thereby substituting mechanical human operations with automated technological systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used for comprehensive measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but data association complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated system. The image pickup unit, infrared image pickup unit, distance-measuring unit, and angle-measuring unit are combined and controlled by a single arithmetic control unit that processes all data together, eliminating the need for separate data association operations between multiple independent sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The arithmetic control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the image pickup unit, processes captured images to detect cracks, analyzes infrared images to identify crack positions, receives distance and angle measurements, and calculates final crack dimensions. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate data association operations between different measurement systems.
3Productivity
If automated measurement is implemented, then operation efficiency is improved, but coordination complexity between multiple measurement units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the arithmetic control unit continuously monitors and coordinates all measurement units. The control unit receives data from image pickup, infrared image pickup, distance measurement, and angle measurement units, processes this information, and automatically adjusts operations to maintain measurement accuracy and efficiency without requiring external coordination.
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
Automates the series of operations for three-dimensional crack measurements, reducing human labor and operation time, and enabling efficient data processing on-site, thus shortening construction periods and eliminating the need for post-site data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a distance-measuring unit that measures a distance to a target by emitting distance-measuring light to the target and receiving reflected distance-measuring light
Implementation Method 2
an infrared image pickup unit that has pixels the positions of which are identified on an imaging device and has sensitivity to infrared rays
Implementation Method 3
the arithmetic control unit performs a search for a cracked portion from a temperature difference in an infrared image
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a crack measuring apparatus and a measuring method in which operations relating to three-dimensional measurements of a cracked portion in a structural object are automated as a series of measurement operations. A crack measuring apparatus (2) includes distance-measuring units (19, 20), an image pickup unit (21) having pixels the positions of which are identified on an imaging device, an infrared image pickup unit (22) having pixels the positions of which are identified on an imaging device and having sensitivity to infrared rays, driving units (13, 14), angle-measuring units (11, 12), and an arithmetic control unit (18), the arithmetic control unit (18) searches for a cracked portion from a temperature difference in an infrared image by turning the infrared image pickup unit (22), captures an image of the cracked portion by the image pickup unit (21) and identifies a position of the cracked portion from a density difference in the captured image, measures the position of the cracked portion by the distance-measuring units (19, 20) and the angle-measuring units (11, 12), and acquires three-dimensional absolute coordinates of the cracked portion.