Overhead Line Position Measuring Device Using Laser and Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current overhead line position measuring apparatuses are ineffective in contactlessly measuring the position of overhead lines other than the contact wire, making it difficult to accurately measure supporting structures and requiring manual measurement from the railway track.
Innovation Solution
An overhead line position measuring apparatus using two laser scanning range sensors and two line cameras, along with a region of interest setting and image processing system, allows for contactless three-dimensional position measurement of multiple overlapping overhead lines by setting a region of interest and improving calculation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two line sensor cameras are used to image overhead lines, then position measurement capability is improved, but the ability to separate overhead lines from background and identify line types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different measurement systems: laser scanning range sensors for precise position measurement and line sensor cameras for visual imaging. By merging these systems into a single overhead line position measuring apparatus, the invention achieves both accurate position measurement and overhead line identification without requiring separate manual measurement processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement task into two parts: position measurement by laser scanning range sensors and visual identification by line sensor cameras. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its strength while working together to solve the overall problem of overhead line monitoring
2Loss of information
If manual measurement using FRP rod from railway track is used, then overhead line identification is possible, but measurement efficiency and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring apparatus is mounted on a vehicle that travels along the railway track, enabling it to perform autonomous measurements of overhead lines without requiring manual intervention from workers on the track. The system automatically captures images and measures positions as the vehicle moves, significantly improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement method (using FRP rod from railway track) with an automated optical and laser-based measurement system mounted on a moving vehicle. This substitution eliminates the need for workers to physically access the track and manually measure overhead lines
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple overhead lines are measured simultaneously, then comprehensive monitoring is improved, but calculation complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of the images captured by line sensor cameras to identify and extract overhead line features before conducting position measurements. By pre-processing the visual data to identify overhead lines and their types, the system reduces the complexity of subsequent position calculations and processing steps
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 high-accuracy contactless measurement of overhead lines, including supporting structures, reducing calculation complexity and facilitating advanced maintenance by separating the overhead lines from the background.
Implementation Method 1
laser scanning range sensors (11 and 12) which respectively scan a space including an overhead line by projecting laser beams within different angle ranges
Implementation Method 2
measuring a position of an overhead line by projecting a laser beam... detects light reflected from the overhead line
Implementation Method 3
two line cameras (13 and 14) which image a space including the overhead line to generate first and second image data
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~4
AI summary
An overhead line position measuring apparatus which also enables contactless three-dimensional position measurement using an inspection car as to an overhead line other than a contact wire. The overhead line position measuring apparatus includes: first and second three-dimensional measuring devices; first and second cameras; a region of interest setting part for setting at least one region of interest based on angle data and distance data generated by each of the first and second three-dimensional measuring devices; an image processing part for performing image processing on each of first and second image data respectively generated by the first and second cameras to mask the image except for the region of interest, and accumulating the first and second image data into amemory; an overhead line extracting part for extracting an overhead line satisfying a predetermined condition from a two-dimensional image represented by each of the accumulated first and second image data; and an overhead line position calculating part for calculating a position of the overhead line in relation to the railway vehicle based on coordinates of the overhead line extracted by the overhead line extracting part.