Drone Hammering Inspection Control for Hard-to-Reach Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection systems require skilled operators to navigate vehicles to inspection points, limiting accessibility and efficiency, especially in areas where vehicles cannot enter, due to the need for manual operation and restricted mobility.
Innovation Solution
An inspection system comprising a flying device with a hammering inspection unit and a ground-side device that detects the flying device's position, allowing the system to autonomously align its flight direction towards the inspection point, enabling inspections without manual vehicle operation and in previously inaccessible areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle-based inspection device is used, then the inspection can be performed with stable operation, but the device cannot access areas where vehicles cannot enter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based vehicle inspection to aerial drone inspection, changing the operational dimension from 2D ground surface to 3D air space. This enables access to areas previously inaccessible to vehicles, such as narrow tunnels, elevated structures, and confined spaces, while maintaining stable inspection capabilities through controlled flight systems.
2Productivity
If manual operation of the moving vehicle is required, then the operator can control the inspection process, but the inspection requires more time and skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The drone inspection system incorporates autonomous navigation capabilities including pre-programmed flight paths, GPS-based positioning, and automated return-to-home functions. The system can independently navigate to inspection points, perform scheduled inspections, and return without continuous manual intervention, significantly improving productivity while reducing the skill level required for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback mechanisms through onboard sensors, cameras, and positioning systems that continuously monitor the drone's location and status. This feedback is transmitted to the operator, enabling semi-autonomous operation where the system self-navigates but can be monitored and adjusted by the operator, optimizing both efficiency and control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inspection device is moved by a moving body such as a truck, then the device can reach various locations, but it cannot inspect areas where the moving body cannot enter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inspection mechanism from the ground-based vehicle platform and mounts it on an aerial drone platform. This separation eliminates the need for complex supporting structures like posts, arms, and wheeled mechanisms that were required to maintain inspection positioning on vehicles. The drone's flight capability inherently provides the necessary positioning and access without additional mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection operator can perform a hammering inspection without operation to move an inspection device to a location to be inspected, and the hammering inspection can also be performed to the location to be inspected where a vehicle has difficulty in entering. An inspection system includes a flying device including a hammering inspection unit that performs an inspection and a flying unit that flies with the hammering inspection unit, a ground-side device that is fixedly installed at a position relative to a location to be inspected and detects a position of the flying device, and a flight instruction unit that controls the flying device in such a way that a forwarding direction of the flying device is a direction from the ground-side device to the location to be inspected based on the position of the flying device.