Structure Displacement Detection Using Synchronized Attitude Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for detecting displacement in structural objects, such as torsion, bending, and sway, face challenges including inaccurate visual detection, increased equipment size for laser beam methods, sensitivity to temperature changes in strain gauges, and low measurement accuracy for long-period sway, as well as difficulties in synchronizing measurement timings across multiple points.

Innovation Solution

A displacement detecting device and system that utilize first and second attitude data calculators, a data extractor, and a displacement calculator, leveraging positioning signals from GPS to calculate attitude data at different positions and synchronize time points, allowing for accurate calculation of displacement and direction using a simple configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual checking method is used to detect displacement, then no special equipment is required, but detection accuracy is poor and long period vibration displacement cannot be accurately detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement detection accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual checking and traditional mechanical measurement methods with an automated optical-electronic system using cameras, LEDs, and image processing. The system uses light emission and image capture to detect displacement, substituting mechanical observation with optical-electronic measurement to achieve higher precision without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy of the structural object by capturing images with cameras. The displacement detection is achieved by comparing sequential image copies of the object's position, allowing accurate measurement of movement through image analysis rather than direct physical measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If laser beam method is used for displacement detection, then measurement precision is improved, but equipment size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement detection accuracyVSAvoidequipment size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the displacement detection function into separate components: LED light sources for marking positions, cameras for capturing images, and image processing units for analysis. This segmentation allows each component to be compact and modular, reducing overall equipment size while maintaining measurement precision through coordinated operation of multiple small units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses image copying technology where cameras capture visual copies of the structural object's position. This optical copying method replaces bulky laser beam equipment with compact camera systems, achieving similar measurement precision through digital image processing rather than physical laser interference patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If strain gauge is used for displacement detection, then measurement precision is improved, but sensitivity to temperature change increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement detection accuracyVSAvoidtemperature sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes strain gauge electrical measurement with an optical-based image processing system. By using cameras to capture images and analyzing positional changes through image processing, the system eliminates the temperature sensitivity inherent in electrical resistance-based strain gauges, as optical measurements are not affected by thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If multiple measurement points are set in structural object, then measurement precision is improved, but synchronization of measurement timings becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement timing synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated image processing system. By using one or more cameras to capture images containing multiple reference marks simultaneously, and processing these images together, the system achieves synchronized measurement across multiple points without requiring separate timing mechanisms for each measurement location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simultaneous image copying of multiple measurement points in a single capture. The camera system captures visual copies of all reference marks positioned on the structural object at the same moment, providing inherently synchronized data from multiple locations without sequential measurement or complex timing coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Enables accurate detection of structural object displacement with a simple configuration, facilitating effective monitoring and disaster defense systems by sharing displacement information across wide areas.

Implementation Method 1

each attitude data calculator calculates a calculated time point of the attitude data based on a time of a positioning system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPositioning signal time synchronization:

Data Source

PatentEP3109674B1Structure displacement detection device, structure displacement sharing system, structure displacement detection method and structure displacement detection program
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 FURUNO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3109674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3109674B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP3109674B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

A displacement detecting device for a structural object is achieved, which is capable of accurately measuring displacement of the structural object. The displacement detecting device 1 includes first and second attitude data calculators 11 and 21, a data extractor 30, and a displacement calculator 40. The first attitude data calculator 11 is disposed at a first position of the structural object, calculates attitude data of the first position by using received positioning signals, and calculates a calculated time point of the attitude data of the first position based on a time of a positioning system. The second attitude data calculator 21 is disposed at a second position of the structural object, calculates attitude data of the second position by using received positioning signals, and calculates a calculated time point of the attitude data of the second position based on the time of the positioning system. The data extractor 30 extracts the attitude data of the first and second positions calculated at the same time point, based on the time of the positioning system. The displacement calculator 40 calculates a displacement amount and a displacement direction of the structural object by using a difference between the attitude data of the first and second positions calculated at the same time point.