3D Flight Route Display for Crane Inspection Drones

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Solution Overview

Problem

It is challenging to accurately confirm the flight route of a flying object inspecting a crane due to its complex structure with many members such as ropes and booms.

Innovation Solution

A display device and a route display program that acquire disposition state data of the crane, set a flight route based on this data, and display the crane and the flight route on a display unit, with the option to view the flight route from at least two different directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a flying object is used to inspect a crane, then inspection coverage is improved, but it becomes difficult to accurately confirm the flight route due to the complex crane structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection coverageVSAvoidflight route confirmation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the crane and flight route in a three-dimensional space using computer graphics. This virtual model allows operators to visually confirm the flight route without physical obstacles interfering with the view, effectively resolving the difficulty of route confirmation while maintaining the benefits of drone inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional plan views to three-dimensional virtual space representation. By displaying the flight route and crane structure in 3D space with multiple viewpoint options, the system enables comprehensive route confirmation from various angles, solving the visibility problems caused by the crane's complex three-dimensional structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the flight route is displayed in a single direction, then the display is simple, but it is difficult to accurately confirm the route around complex crane structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay complexityVSAvoidroute confirmation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a three-dimensional display system that allows switching between multiple viewpoints (bird's eye view, side view, front view, and arbitrary angles). This multi-dimensional approach provides comprehensive route visibility without significantly increasing operational complexity, as all views are integrated in a single virtual environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The display system allows dynamic switching between different viewpoints and camera angles. Operators can rotate the virtual camera around the crane model to view the flight route from any desired angle, providing flexible and adaptive route confirmation capabilities that adapt to the complex crane geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4068247B1Display device and route display program
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND CONSTR CRANES CO LTD
  • EP4068247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4068247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4068247B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A flight route (R) of a flying object (40) is easily and accurately confirmed as compared with the related art. An information terminal (60, 70) includes a display (620) and a control unit (65) that displays a flight route (R) of a moving body (40) flying while photographing surroundings of a crane (20) on the display (620) . The control unit (65) is configured to display the crane (20) and the flight route (R) on the display (620) and to display the flight route (R) in a display mode viewed from at least two different directions.