System and method for inspecting and maintaining the exterior elevated elements of building structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional eye inspections of exterior elevated building elements, such as decks and balconies, cannot detect internal wood rot and bolt/nail rust, often requiring destructive methods and lacking a system for maintenance or identifying structures requiring government inspections.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using satellite images, image processing, and AI to identify buildings with exterior elevated elements, followed by drilling holes for snake cameras or crawler robots to inspect interiors, and installing fans or ventilation windows to prevent further damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional eye inspection methods are used to examine exterior elevated elements, then the inspection process is simple and non-invasive, but internal wood rot and bolt/nail rust cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system segments the examination process into multiple stages: external visual inspection, hole drilling access points, insertion of snake cameras or crawler robots for internal inspection, and separate maintenance stages. This allows detection of internal conditions without requiring complete disassembly of the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary devices (snake cameras, crawler robots, moisture sensors, thermal cameras) that can access and inspect the interior space of exterior elevated elements through small access points, enabling detection of internal wood rot and metal corrosion without destructive examination of the entire structure.
2Measurement precision
If destructive inspection methods are used to detect internal deterioration, then accurate detection of wood rot and rust is achieved, but structural damage occurs and repair is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary inspection functions into removable devices (snake cameras, crawler robots) that can be inserted through small access points and then removed, allowing thorough internal inspection without permanently altering or damaging the structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary protective measures by installing moisture sensors, thermal cameras, and ventilation systems before significant deterioration occurs. These systems prevent wood rot and metal corrosion by monitoring environmental conditions and facilitating drying, thereby preventing the need for destructive inspection and repair.
3Reliability
If no maintenance system is implemented, then the building structure is left to deteriorate naturally, but regular inspection and maintenance require additional resources and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance system incorporates feedback mechanisms through moisture sensors, thermal cameras, and environmental monitors that continuously track conditions inside exterior elevated elements. When deterioration indicators are detected (elevated moisture levels, temperature anomalies suggesting pest activity or rot), the system alerts owners and automatically activates ventilation or other corrective measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities through automated monitoring systems that detect and report problems without requiring constant human inspection. The system can automatically activate ventilation fans to dry out moisture, alert homeowners to potential issues, and even prioritize inspection schedules based on detected risk levels, reducing the need for frequent manual interventions.
4Productivity
If manual inspection processes are used, then flexibility in inspection timing is maintained, but productivity and coverage of inspections are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system uses multi-functional devices that can perform multiple tasks: snake cameras and crawler robots can capture visual images, measure moisture content, detect temperature anomalies, and map the interior space. These universal tools increase inspection productivity without requiring separate specialized equipment for each type of examination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection processes with automated electronic systems including computer vision algorithms for image analysis, automated moisture sensor networks, and software-driven prioritization of inspection schedules. This substitution significantly increases inspection efficiency and coverage while maintaining flexibility through programmable parameters and adaptive scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of inspecting an exterior elevated element of a building is provided. The method drills a hole into an interior space of the exterior elevated element of the building. The interior space of the exterior elevated element encompasses a plurality of wooden surfaces. The method passes a camera through the hole into the interior space of the exterior elevated element of the building. The method captures a set of one or more images from the wooden surfaces in the interior space of the exterior elevated element by the camera. The method analyzes the set of images to identify one or more of color differences of the wooden surfaces, color intensity differences of the wooden surfaces, and a shape and a size of any cracks on the wooden surfaces. The method determines the existence of wood rot in the interior space of the exterior elevated element based on the analysis.