Drone Flight Planning for Structure Imaging Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting hard-to-reach structures, such as bridges and industrial facilities, are costly, unsafe, and disrupt traffic, as they require manual scaffolding and lane closures.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method that utilize a flying body equipped with an imaging device to autonomously fly over structures and capture images, using pre-generated flight information based on an overview of the structure's layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods using scaffolding are used, then detailed inspection can be performed, but safety risks increase and traffic disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection systems (scaffolding, ladders, human inspectors) with an automated aerial inspection system using flying bodies (drones, aircraft) equipped with imaging devices. This substitution eliminates safety risks associated with human access to dangerous structures while maintaining inspection capability through automated image capture and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flying bodies as intermediary carriers between the inspection target and the imaging device. These flying bodies transport cameras and sensors to positions that would be inaccessible or dangerous for human inspectors, enabling detailed inspection without direct human exposure to hazards
2Measurement precision
If manual inspection with scaffolding is used, then structure inspection can be conducted, but cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inefficient manual scaffolding systems with automated aerial inspection platforms that can rapidly position themselves around structures using GPS and flight control systems. This automation eliminates the time-consuming setup and teardown of scaffolding while capturing comprehensive inspection data through coordinated multi-angle imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary planning of inspection routes and imaging positions before actual inspection. Flight paths and capture points are pre-calculated based on structure geometry, enabling the flying body to efficiently execute the inspection sequence without delays, thereby improving overall inspection productivity
3Reliability
If manual inspection requires lane closures, then safety can be maintained, but traffic disruption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ground-based manual inspection that requires lane closures with aerial inspection using flying bodies. This substitution allows inspection to be performed from above without occupying road space, eliminating traffic disruption while maintaining safety through remote operation and automated hazard avoidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the inspection operation from the ground level (2D plane requiring traffic management) to the aerial dimension (3D space above the structure). This dimensional shift allows simultaneous traffic flow below and inspection above, eliminating the need for lane closures while maintaining safety through vertical separation
Data Source
AI summary
A control device including an acquisition unit configured to acquire information related to an overview of a structure, and a flight information generating unit configured to generate flight information of a flying body being caused to fly over a periphery of the structure to image the structure on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition unit. The control device generates information used to cause the flying body to image the structure, and thereby makes it possible to make more efficient the inspection performed by the flying body capable of performing imaging.