JP7267144B2 - INFORMATION COLLECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD AND INFORMATION COLLECTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an information gathering device, an information gathering method, and an information gathering system.

For example, in various plants, the operating states of various devices are measured by measuring instruments, and the operating states of the various devices are monitored based on the measured indicated values. In this case, the worker patrols the place where the equipment is installed and reads the indication value of the measuring device provided for the equipment installed at the installation place. Then, the operator monitors and controls the operation of the equipment based on the indicated value read from the measuring instrument. In this case, it is conceivable to remotely read the indicated value of the measuring instrument in consideration of the workability and safety of reading the indicated value of the measuring instrument.

As such a technique, for example, there is one described in Cited Document 1 below. In the technology described in Cited Document 1, an inspection robot moves to the vicinity of a measuring instrument, receives and stores measurement data output from the measuring instrument. Further, as a technology for a robot to grasp the position of a device and charge the device, for example, there is a technique described in Cited Document 2 below.

Japanese Patent No. 4293998 WO2017/130649

By the way, since measuring instruments for measuring the operating state of various devices require power for their operation, they are connected to a power source or have a built-in battery. However, if there is no power supply near the measuring instrument, the measuring instrument will contain a battery. In this case, it is necessary to periodically charge the battery of the measuring instrument or replace the battery, which poses a problem of poor maintainability.

An object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide an information collection device, method, and information collection system that simplify information collection from electrical components.

The information collection device of the present disclosure for achieving the above object includes a moving body, a driving device capable of moving the moving body, a power feeding device capable of supplying electric power to an electric component, and between the electric component and a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving signals.

In addition, the information collection method of the present disclosure includes a step of supplying power to a measuring device using a power supply device provided on a mobile object, and a communication device provided on the mobile object transmitting and receiving power to and from the measuring device, thereby measuring the measuring device. and receiving data.

Further, the information collection system of the present disclosure includes the electrical component to which the power receiving device is attached, and the information collection device.

According to the information collection device, method, and information collection system of the present disclosure, it is possible to simplify information collection from electrical components.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the information collection system of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram representing an information gathering system. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the information gathering device of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing an information gathering method. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the information collection system of this embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited by this embodiment, and when there are a plurality of embodiments, the present disclosure also includes a combination of each embodiment. In addition, components in the embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range.

[Information collection device system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the information gathering system of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the information gathering system.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information collection system 10 includes a measurement device 11, an information collection device 12, and a management device 13. FIG. The measuring device 11 measures, for example, information on various types of piping 100 arranged in a plant. The information collection device 12 acquires measurement data measured by the measurement device 11 . The information collecting device 12 is movable, moves to the position where the measuring device 11 is attached, and acquires measurement data. The control device 13 is arranged, for example, in the central control room of the plant. The management device 13 acquires the measurement data acquired by the information collection device 12 and manages the plant.

The measuring device 11 includes a measuring device 21 , a communication device 22 , a power receiving device 23 , and a measuring device control device 24 . The measuring device 21 is attached to various pipes 100 arranged in a plant, for example. The measuring device 21 is, for example, a flow meter, a pressure gauge, a thermometer, or the like. The communication device 22 can transmit and receive various signals (data) to and from the information collection device 12 wirelessly (or by wire). The communication device 22 can transmit measurement data measured by the measuring device 21 to the information collection device 12 . The power receiving device 23 can receive power supply from the information collecting device 12 . The measuring device 11 does not have a battery and is in a stopped state when the power receiving device 23 is not receiving power. The measuring instrument control device 24 can control operations of the measuring instrument 21 , the communication device 22 , and the power receiving device 23 . The measuring instrument control device 24 operates by power received by the power receiving device 23 , and controls the operation of the measuring device 21 and the communication device 22 in the power receiving state of the power receiving device 23 .

The information collecting device 12 includes a driving device 31 , a first communication device 32 , a power supply device 33 , a battery 34 , a recording device 35 , a second communication device 36 and a mobile body control device 37 . The driving device 31 can move a moving body 51 that constitutes the information collecting device 12 and will be described later. The first communication device 32 can transmit and receive various signals (data) to and from the communication device 22 of the measuring device 11 wirelessly (or by wire). The first communication device 32 can receive measurement data measured by the measuring device 21 by transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication device 22 . The power supply device 33 can supply power to the measuring device 11 via the power receiving device 23 . The battery 34 supplies power to the driving device 31 , the first communication device 32 , the power feeding device 33 , the recording device 35 , the second communication device 36 and the mobile body control device 37 . The recording device 35 can record the measurement data of the measuring instrument 21 received by the first communication device 32 via the communication device 22 . The second communication device 36 can transmit and receive data to and from the management device 13 . The mobile body control device 37 can control the operation of the driving device 31 , the first communication device 32 , the power supply device 33 , the battery 34 , the recording device 35 and the second communication device 36 .

The management device 13 includes a data management device 41 and a communication device 42 . The data management device 41 can receive various information including measurement data from the information collection device 12 via the second communication device 36 by the communication device 42 . The management device 13 transmits operation signals (data) to the information collection device 12 via the communication device 42 and the second communication device 36 . When the information collecting device 12 receives the operation signal, the mobile body control device 37 controls the operation of the driving device 31, the first communication device 32, the power feeding device 33, etc. based on the operation signal.

[Information gathering device]
Here, the information collection device 12 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the information gathering device of this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the information collection device 12 has a mobile object 51 . The moving body 51 has a frame 52 . The frame 52 has a box-shaped hollow shape, and has an internal pressure explosion-proof structure in which the inside is sealed. The frame 52 is provided with a driving device 31 at its lower portion, so that the frame 52 can travel independently. The driving device 31 is composed of an electric motor 53 and driving wheels 54 . An electric motor 53 is mounted inside the frame 52 , and drive wheels 54 are provided on the lower portion of the frame 52 in the front, rear, left, and right directions. The driving device 31 is not limited to the electric motor 53 and the driving wheels 54. For example, the driving wheels 54 may be replaced by driving sprockets and crawlers.

The first communication device 32 , the power supply device 33 , the battery 34 , the recording device 35 , the second communication device 36 and the mobile body control device 37 are mounted inside the frame 52 . A support arm 55 is attached to the moving body 51 . The support arm 55 is, for example, a multi-joint support arm and has a base end supported by the frame 52 . The power supply device 33 is attached to the tip of the support arm 55 . The power supply device 33 has a contact power supply unit or a non-contact power supply unit (not shown). Note that the support arm 55 is omitted in FIG.

The mobile body control device 37 is connected to the first communication device 32, the power supply device 33, the battery 34, the recording device 35, and the second communication device 36, and controls their operations. The power supply device 33 supplies power to the measuring device 11 via the power receiving device 23 . At this time, the power supply device 33 supplies power necessary for the measuring device 11 to operate, that is, power necessary for the measuring device 21 , the communication device 22 and the measuring device control device 24 to operate. The mobile body control device 37 controls the power supply start timing and the power supply end timing of the power supply device 33 . After starting power supply to the measuring device 11 , the mobile body control device 37 transmits an activation signal to the measuring device 11 through the communication device 22 and the first communication device 32 , receives an identification number from the measuring device 11 , and Send a measurement start signal to After receiving all the measurement data from the measuring device 11 , the mobile body control device 37 terminates the power feeding by the power feeding device 33 .

The information gathering device 12 includes an internal pressure explosion-proof device 61 . The internal pressure explosion-proof device 61 keeps the pressure inside the frame 52 higher than the pressure outside the frame 52 (atmospheric pressure), thereby preventing external gas from entering the frame 52 . That is, the internal pressure explosion-proof device 61 accommodates electrical equipment and parts that can become an ignition source for flammable gas in the frame 52 as a container having predetermined specifications, so that the inside of the frame 52 is free from impurities such as air and nitrogen. Isolation from external explosive atmosphere by injecting and pressurizing active gas (protective gas). In addition, when the pressure inside the frame 52 drops below a preset lower limit pressure (at least pressure higher than atmospheric pressure), the internal pressure explosion-proof device 61 switches from the battery 34 to the first communication device 32, the power supply device 33, and the recording device. 35, the power supply to the second communication device 36 and mobile body control device 37 is stopped.

The internal pressure explosion-proof device 61 has a gas supply device 62 , an exhaust device 63 and a protection monitoring device 64 . The gas supply device 62 has a gas tank 71 , a gas supply line 72 and a pressure reducing valve 73 . The gas tank 71 is provided outside the frame 52 , and the gas supply line 72 passes through the frame 52 and has one end connected to the gas tank 71 and the other end opened inside the frame 52 . The pressure reducing valve 73 is provided outside the frame 52 in the gas supply line 72 . Therefore, normally, pressurized gas (for example, pressurized air) in the gas tank 71 is supplied to the inside of the frame 52 through the gas supply line 72, and the pressure inside the frame 52 is made higher than the outside pressure by the pressure reducing valve 73. A constant set pressure is maintained.

The exhaust device 63 has a gas exhaust line 74 and a relief valve 75 . The gas discharge line 74 passes through the frame 52 and has one end opened to the outside of the frame 52 and the other end opened to the inside of the frame 52 . The relief valve 75 is provided outside the frame 52 in the gas discharge line 74 . Therefore, when the temperature inside the frame 52 rises and the pressure inside the frame 52 becomes higher than the preset upper limit pressure, the relief valve 75 discharges the gas inside the frame 52 to the outside through the gas discharge line 74. and reduces the pressure inside the frame 52 .

The protection monitoring device 64 has a protection circuit 76 and a pressure detector 77 . The pressure detector 77 detects at least one of pressure inside and outside the frame 52 . The protection circuit 76 performs explosion-proof control based on the detection result of the pressure detector 77 . When the pressure inside the frame 52 detected by the pressure detector 77 drops below a predetermined pressure (at least pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure), the protection circuit 76 switches from the battery 34 to the first communication device 32 and the power supply device 33 . , the recording device 35, the second communication device 36, and the mobile body control device 37 are stopped.

The information collection device 12 also includes a camera 81 . A camera 81 is mounted in the upper part within the frame 52 . The camera 81 is controlled by the mobile body control device 37 , is capable of photographing the outside, and outputs the captured image to the mobile body control device 37 . The second communication device 36 can communicate with the management device 13 (see FIG. 1) and the like. The second communication device 36 sends information input from the outside to the mobile body control device 37, and also sends information from the mobile body control device 37, such as an image captured by the camera 81, to the outside.

[Modified example of information collection system]
Note that the information collection system 10 is not limited to the configuration described above. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the information collection system of this embodiment.

In a modification of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an information collection system 10A includes a measurement device 11A, an information collection device 12A, and a management device 13 (see FIG. 1). 11 A of measuring apparatuses measure the information in the various piping 100 arrange|positioned at the plant, for example. The information collection device 12A acquires measurement data measured by the measurement device 11A. The information collection device 12A is movable, moves to the position where the measurement device 11 is attached, and acquires measurement data.

The measuring device 11A includes a measuring device 21, a communication device 22, a power generation device 91, and a measuring device control device 24 (see FIG. 1). The measuring device 21 and the communication device 22 are the same as the measuring device 11 described above. The power generation device 91 is a rotary manual power generation device, and generates power by rotating a rotating body 92 . The power generation device 91 can generate power by operating the information collection device 12</b>A and supply power to the communication device 22 and the measuring instrument control device 24 . The measuring device 11A does not have a battery, and is in a stopped state when the power generation device 91 does not operate and does not generate power. The measuring instrument control device 24 can control the operation of the measuring instrument 21 and the communication device 22 . The measuring instrument control device 24 operates when the power generation device 91 operates and receives power, and controls the operation of the measuring device 21 and the communication device 22 in the power generation state of the power generation device 91 .

The information collection device 12A includes a drive device 31, a first communication device 32, a battery 34, a recording device 35, a second communication device 36, a mobile body control device 37, and a mobile body 51 (see FIG. 1). ), and is substantially the same as the information gathering device 12 described above. A support arm 55 is attached to the moving body 51 . The support arm 55 has a locking portion 93 for locking the rotating body 92 of the power generator 91 at the tip. By operating the support arm 55, the information collecting device 12A locks the locking portion 93 to the rotor 92 of the power generator 91, rotates the rotor 92, and causes the power generator 91 to generate power.

[Information collection method]
Here, an information collection method by the information collection system 10 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing an information gathering method.

The information gathering method of the present embodiment includes a step of moving the power feeding device 33 and the first communication device 32 to the mounting position of the measuring device 11 by the moving body 51, a step of feeding power to the measuring device 11 by the power feeding device 33, and a first a step of receiving measurement data of the measuring device 21 by transmission/reception with the measuring device 11 through the communication device 32 .

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, in step S11, the information collecting device 12 operates the moving body 51 in response to an operation signal from the management device 13, and moves the moving body 51 to the position of the measuring device 11. It is moved to the mounting position, that is, the vicinity of the measuring device 21 and positioned. In step S<b>12 , the information collecting device 12 operates the support arm 55 (see FIG. 2 ) to bring the power feeding device 33 closer to the power receiving device 23 of the measuring device 11 and start feeding power to the measuring device 11 . Then, the measuring device 11 is activated by being supplied with power.

In step S<b>13 , the information collecting device 12 transmits a start signal for the measuring device 21 to the measuring device control device 24 via the communication devices 32 and 22 . Upon receiving the activation signal of the measuring device 21 , the measuring device control device 24 transmits the identification number of the measuring device 21 to the mobile body control device 37 . In step S<b>14 , the mobile body control device 37 determines whether or not the identification number of the measuring device 21 has been received from the measuring device control device 24 . Here, if it is determined that the identification number of the measuring device 21 has not been received (No), it waits until it is received. On the other hand, when it is determined that the identification number of the measuring device 21 has been received (Yes), the mobile body control device 37 transmits a measurement start signal by the measuring device 21 to the measuring device control device 24 in step S15. Upon receiving the measurement start signal, the measuring instrument control device 24 performs measurement processing using the measuring instrument 21 and transmits measurement data to the mobile body control device 37 .

In step S<b>16 , the mobile body control device 37 determines whether necessary measurement data of the measuring device 21 has been received from the measuring device control device 24 . Here, if it is determined that the necessary measurement data of the measuring device 21 has been received (Yes), the mobile body control device 37 records the received measurement data in the recording device 35 in step S17. The mobile body control device 37 grasps the type and capacity of measurement data in advance based on the identification number of the measurement device 21, and determines whether or not a predetermined amount of measurement data of a predetermined type has been received. Determine whether measurement data has been received. In addition, it is determined whether or not necessary measurement data has been received. Finally, it may be determined whether or not the required measurement data has been received by receiving a signal indicating the end of transmission. On the other hand, if it is determined that the necessary measurement data of the measuring device 21 has not been received (No), the process returns to step S16 to repeat the process. Then, in step S<b>18 , the mobile body control device 37 terminates the power feeding to the measuring device 11 by the power feeding device 33 .

When the information collecting device 12 receives all the measurement data of the measuring device 21 and ends the power supply to the measuring device 11, in step S19, the measurement data recorded in the recording device 35 is sent to the management device by the communication devices 36 and 42. 13. Then, in step S<b>20 , the information collecting device 12 operates the moving body 51 in response to the operation signal from the management device 13 and moves the moving body 51 to the mounting position of the next measuring device 11 . The processing of transmitting the measurement data to the management device 13 by the communication devices 36 and 42 need not be performed at this timing, and may be performed at any timing.

[Action and effect of the present embodiment]
The information collecting device according to the first aspect includes a moving body 51, a driving device 31 capable of moving the moving body 51, a power supply device 33 capable of supplying power to a measuring device (electrical component) 21, and a measuring device 21. and a first communication device 32 capable of transmitting and receiving measurement data (signal) between.

In the information collecting device according to the first aspect, the moving body 51 moves to the vicinity of the measuring instrument 21 by the driving device 31, the power supply device 33 supplies power to the measuring instrument 21, and the first communication device 32 Receives measurement data measured by Therefore, it is not necessary to connect a power supply to the measuring device 21 or to incorporate a battery therein, so that the measuring device 21 can be simplified, and there is no need to periodically charge the measuring device 21. The maintainability of the measuring device 21 can be improved. As a result, the necessary power needs to be supplied only when the measuring device 21 is measuring, and the task of collecting measurement data from the measuring device 21 can be simplified.

In the information collecting device according to the second aspect, the power supply device 33 supplies power necessary for the measuring device 21 to operate. As a result, the measuring device 21 does not require a power source, and can be made compact by simply supplying power necessary for measurement.

The information collection device according to the third aspect is provided with a mobile body control device 37 capable of controlling the power supply device 33 , and the mobile body control device 37 controls when to start and end power supply by the power supply device 33 . As a result, it is possible to set the period during which the power supply device 33 starts supplying power to the measuring device 21, and to properly perform the work of collecting measurement data from the measuring device 21. FIG.

In the information collecting device according to the fourth aspect, the mobile body control device 37 transmits a start signal to the measuring device 21 through the first communication device 32 after starting power supply to the measuring device 21, and receives the identification number from the measuring device 21. After receiving, it transmits a measurement start signal to the measuring device 21 . Accordingly, the measurement data of the measuring device 21 is collected after the measuring device 21 is specified by the identification number, and the measuring device 21 and the measurement data can be collected in association with each other.

In the information collecting device according to the fifth aspect, when the mobile body control device 37 receives the necessary measurement data of the measuring device 21 via the first communication device 32 , the power feeding device 33 ends the power feeding. As a result, it is possible to appropriately manage the end timing of power supply by the power supply device 33 .

In the information collecting device according to the sixth aspect, the mobile body control device 37 transmits the measurement data of the measuring device 21 received by the first communication device 32 to the data management device 41 through the second communication device 36 . As a result, the mobile body control device 37 does not need to record and maintain a large amount of measurement data in the recording device 35, and the management of the measurement data by the mobile body control device 37 can be simplified. It is possible to reduce the capacity.

An information gathering apparatus according to a seventh aspect is provided with a support arm 55 whose base end is supported by a moving body 51 , and a power supply device 33 having a contact power supply unit or a non-contact power supply unit is provided at the tip of the support arm 55 . set in As a result, the support arm 55 can be moved to move the contact type power supply unit or the non-contact type power supply unit to a predetermined power supply position, and the positioning work of the power supply unit can be simplified and highly accurate.

In the information collecting device according to the eighth aspect, a moving body 51 has a frame 52 that has an internal pressure explosion-proof structure, and a driving device 31 and a first communication device 32 are arranged inside the frame 52 . As a result, even in an explosive atmosphere, it is possible to collect measurement data from the measuring device 21 by moving the moving body to a predetermined measurement position.

In the information gathering device according to the ninth aspect, the power supply device 33 has an explosion-proof structure. As a result, power can be supplied even in an explosive atmosphere.

The information gathering method according to the tenth aspect includes the step of supplying power to the measuring device 21 by the power feeding device 33 provided on the mobile body 51, and the first communication device 32 provided on the mobile body 51 transmitting and receiving data and receiving the measurement data of the measuring device 21 . As a result, the necessary power needs to be supplied only when the measuring device 21 is measuring, and the operation of collecting measurement data from the measuring device 21 can be simplified.

An information collection system according to an eleventh aspect includes a measuring device 21 to which a power receiving device 23 is attached, and an information collection device 12 . As a result, the necessary power needs to be supplied only when the measuring device 21 is measuring, and the operation of collecting measurement data from the measuring device 21 can be simplified.

In the information gathering system according to the twelfth aspect, the measuring device 21 has a power generation device 91 . This makes it possible to eliminate the need for a power supply device.

In the above-described embodiment, the information collecting device 12 is provided with the two communication devices 32 and 36, but one communication device may also be used. Also, although the communication devices 22, 32, 36, and 42 are of the wireless type, they may be of the wired type.

In the above-described embodiment, the mobile body 51 is equipped with the battery 34, but the mobile body 51 may be supplied with power from an external power supply device by wire without the battery 34. good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the moving body 51 has an internal pressure explosion-proof structure, but it may have a pressure-resistant explosion-proof structure.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the moving body 51 is configured to be movable by running, but may be movable by flying.

10, 10A Information collection system 11, 11A Measurement device 12, 12A Information collection device 13 Management device 21 Measurement device (electric part)
22 Communication Device 23 Power Receiving Device 24 Measuring Instrument Control Device 31 Drive Device 32 First Communication Device 33 Power Supply Device 34 Battery 35 Recording Device 36 Second Communication Device 37 Mobile Object Control Device 41 Data Management Device 42 Communication Device 51 Mobile Object 52 Frame 53 Electric motor 54 Drive wheel 55 Support arm 61 Internal pressure explosion-proof device 62 Gas supply device 63 Exhaust device 64 Protective monitoring device 81 Camera 91 Power generation device

Claims (10)

a mobile object;
a driving device capable of moving the moving body;
a power supply device capable of supplying power to a measuring instrument as an electrical component;
a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the electrical component;
a control device for controlling the power supply start timing and the power supply end timing by the power supply device;
with
The control device is capable of controlling the communication device, and after starting power supply to the measuring device, the communication device transmits a start signal to the measuring device, and grasps the type and capacity of measurement data in advance from the measuring device. After receiving the possible identification number, a measurement start signal is transmitted to the measuring device, and based on the identification number, it is determined whether or not a predetermined amount of measurement data of a predetermined type has been received, thereby obtaining the necessary measurement data. determine whether it has been received,
Information gathering device. 2. The information gathering device according to claim 1, wherein said power supply device supplies power necessary for said electrical component to operate. 3. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device terminates power feeding by the power feeding device when the required measurement data of the measuring device is received by the communication device. 4. The information collecting device according to claim 3, wherein the control device transmits the received measurement data of the measuring device to the data management device through the communication device. 5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a support arm having a base end supported by the moving body, and a contact power feeding section or a non-contact power feeding section provided at a distal end of the support arm. Information gathering device as described. 6. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving body has a frame having an explosion-proof structure, and the driving device and the communication device are arranged inside the frame. The information collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the power supply device has an explosion-proof structure. a step of supplying power to the measuring instrument by a power supply device provided in the moving object;
a step of receiving measurement data of the measuring instrument by a communication device provided in the moving object transmitting and receiving the measuring instrument;
has
After starting power supply to the measuring device, the communication device transmits an activation signal to the measuring device, and after receiving an identification number from the measuring device that enables the type and volume of measurement data to be grasped in advance, the measuring device performs measurement. Determining whether necessary measurement data is received by transmitting a start signal and determining whether a predetermined amount of measurement data of a predetermined type has been received based on the identification number;
How we collect information. the electrical component to which the power receiving device is attached;
an information collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ;
An information gathering system with 10. The information gathering system of Claim 9 , wherein the electrical component comprises a power generator.

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