JPH03225208A - Track inspection instrument with a pair of image pickup systems - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a track inspection device for inspecting tracks laid on the ground from a running track vehicle. The present invention relates to a trajectory inspection device that captures an image of an object to be inspected based on a detection result of its presence.

(Prior art) Railway tracks are generally used under harsh conditions, so track management is essential to maintain safe running of vehicles, and it is necessary to monitor all structures on the tracks. be. Conventional track inspections, with some exceptions such as inspection of rail gauge, level, height, flatness, and track deviation of caps, are carried out visually by humans while actually walking on the track, or by using measuring instruments, etc. It was carried out by

(WU section that tries to invent or solve problems) But 1. Conventional measuring force U such as L;

There was a problem in that it required a lot of effort and time for humans to walk on the track.The present invention was made in consideration of this problem, and only the necessary inspection target from a running vehicle can be used. The object of the present invention is to provide a trajectory inspection device that can efficiently photograph images and inspect the trajectory based on the captured images.

Means for Solving Cal&i] The first track inspection device of the present invention, as schematically shown in FIG. and (b) one image storage means 3 for recording image information photographed by the pair of image pickup means;
(c) Control 11 for controlling the pair of imaging means described in FIij
In the first track inspection device, the control means 2 controls the pair of imaging means 1.1''.
The image information of one location on the trajectory ml# is selectively and sequentially transferred to the main image storage stage 1 3.

The second track inspection device of the present invention, as also schematically shown in FIG. a pair of image sensors 1 and 1.1' that capture the above image; (b) a main image storage unit 3 that stores the image information transferred from the pair of image capture units; and (C) a pair of image capture units and control means 2 for inhibiting the transfer of the image from the other of the pair of imaging means to the main image storage means when the image is being transferred from one of the image pickup means to the main image storage means.

For example, preferably, each of the pair of imaging means 1.1' of the first and second orbital inspection devices is connected to a transmitting means for irradiating an energy beam onto the orbit, and a transmitting means for receiving the energy beam reflected from the orbit. a receiving means, a detecting means for detecting the presence of a specific structure on the orbit from a signal received by the receiving means, and a detecting means for detecting the presence of a specific structure on the orbit based on a signal detected by the detecting means. It is preferable to include an imaging device for taking in images on the orbit in a positional relationship with the structure, and one stage of illumination for supplying illumination light for the imaging device.

(Function) In the first track inspection device according to the present invention, the pair of imaging means 1.1' each captures an image of one location on the track 1-. The control means 2 selectively sequentially transfers image information of one location on the trajectory t photographed by both of the pair of image pickup means to the main image storage means 3. The transferred image information of the one location on the orbit is sequentially stored by the main image storage means 3.

On the other hand, in the second track inspection device 8 according to the present invention, each of the pair of imaging means 1.1' detects a specific structure on the track, and based on this detection result, (according to the above) An image of the orbit is taken. The image information transferred from both of the pair of image pickup means is stored in the F image storage means 3. - When an image is being transferred from the other of the pair of image pickup means to the main image storage means, the control means 2 temporarily prohibits the transfer of the image from the other of the pair of image pickup means to the E image storage means. It is necessary that the relationship between the specific structure on the trajectory 1- to be detected for photographing by a pair of imaging means and the inspection target on the orbit whose image is to be taken is approximately constant. and may be the same, i.e. by detecting the gap between rails, for example,
It is also possible to photograph the rail joint gap itself as the object to be inspected.
It is also possible to photograph joint plate bolts, insulating joint materials, etc. as objects to be inspected. Furthermore, a pair of imaging means l.

A pair of inspection objects (
In the case of the first track inspection device, the track "2 and 3 locations) are -
Similar to section h, the objects to be inspected (three locations) may be the same or different, i.e., the pair of inspection objects (three locations) of the trajectory 1 photographed by the pair of tm* means. The images may be images taken of different objects to be inspected at two points on the trajectory], or may be images taken from two directions of the same object. The objects to be inspected are the rail j1111 gap on one rail of the track and the rail joint 111i on the other rail.
It is possible to do between.

For this reason, there are many objects to be inspected in the orbit, and
11 If a vehicle is equipped with a track inspection device or is traveling at high speed (even if there is one, all inspection objects will be inspected as long as they are in a certain positional relationship with the object to be inspected or with a specific structure J21 object on the track J21F) It is possible to take all the images.The taken images can be processed on the spot or after they are taken home with the image processing device 2!t.
The quality of the object to be inspected may be automatically determined by passing the image through the image, or the quality of the object may be determined by one person viewing the image.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings regarding the first embodiment of the present invention,
Give a detailed explanation.

m 2 r: 4 is a smaller version of the track inspection device configuration of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view of the track inspection device of this embodiment in a direction perpendicular to the rail extension direction. case,
A pair of inspection objects el are set between the rail joints 11'm of the flesh rails 7 and 7' on the track 1- (in this case, the #t11 gap is also a specific structure J\1 object on the track), and the train is running. Images between these rail joints r+* are automatically taken from the vehicle.

The entire device is mounted on a running vehicle 2o. The pair of imaging means 1.1' includes imaging units 4, 4. jlF
J space detection section 5.5'', auxiliary image storage section 6.6'
do. Imaging tfA4,4'' photographs the two rails 7 and 7' from above.The inter-LIM detection unit 5.
5' is the track F between the joints Fl & on each of the two rails.
Based on the detection signal, the image pickup section 4.4' photographs the object between [1a and 1a] and stores the image of f in the auxiliary image storage section 6.6'.

The gap between the joints of the two rails is often in the turning position, and in this case, these pieces of image information are stored in the auxiliary image storage section almost simultaneously. The sub-images temporarily stored in the two auxiliary image storage units 6 and 6' are sequentially transferred to the main image storage unit 3 by the control means 2.

They are stored together here. If two wooden rails are connected [with one gap or in pairs, these images are stored alternately in the main image storage means 3.

When taking images from a vehicle traveling at 100 km/h between seam gaps every 25 m, the shooting interval is approximately 0.9 m.
sec and was stored in the auxiliary image storage unit 6゜6'.
It is necessary to sequentially transfer both images to one image storage means 3 within this time period. The auxiliary image storage section 6.6' requires a high-speed image memory, and the main image storage means 3 requires a large capacity image memory, and the auxiliary image storage section 6.6' requires a frame memory using an LSI. etc.,
Further, the image storage stage 3 may be a frame-by-frame VTR 1 optical tape or the like.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing in detail the configuration of one of the pair of imaging means L, and shows a schematic configuration of a cross section taken in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the rail. Seam clearance detection section (second
Reference numeral 5) in the figure indicates the transmitting-11 stage 13. Reception stage 14
and a seam play determining section 15. The laser beam emitted from the transmitting means 13 toward the rail 7 is reflected by the rail and then received by the photodetector of the receiving means 14. Although not shown, the emitted laser beam The light beam is irradiated onto the rail 7t by the internal optical system as a slit-shaped light beam extending in a direction perpendicular to the rail extension direction. As the vehicle travels, this laser light scans the rail 7, and when the vehicle crosses a joint, the reflected light from the rail is temporarily interrupted, and the intensity of the reflected light received by the receiving means 14 is - hours. to lower the target. By detecting this temporary low r of the amount of received light by using the seam clearance determining section 15,
1 Detection of idle time.

The TV left camera 1 and the annular strobe 12 correspond to the imaging section 4 in FIG. Said [n amount detection unit 13, 14.15
The seam gap detection signal obtained by the TV left camera 1.
By inputting the information to the annular strobe 12, an image of the joint 11, which is the object to be inspected, can be automatically captured. If a detection laser beam is taken at the same time as the image between fIjl and 11iai, it will affect the accuracy of the gap measurement, so it is recommended that one person or Of course.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the TV left camera 1 is inserted into the center 11 part of the annular strobe 12,
Furthermore, the transmitting means 13 and the receiving means 14 are placed on opposite sides of each other. With this arrangement, the entire device having the following functions can be constructed in a very compact form. By using the annular strobe 12, the photographing area of the orbit is illuminated almost uniformly, and by placing the TV left camera 1 in the center opening, the photographing area is uniformly illuminated. It is possible to photograph the area from the true direction. On the other hand, the optical axis direction of the laser beam emitted from the transmitting means 13 and the receiving means 14
The optical axis direction of the laser beam incident on the third [! Since it has a stop-reflection relationship with the rail surface such that the distance is smaller than l, it is possible to efficiently receive reflected light from the rail. Also,
The laser light (projected as a slit-shaped beam) irradiated onto the rail by the transmission means 13 is located approximately at the center of the area of the rail that is imaged by the TV camera. If the time from the time when the free space determination unit 15 detects 1 time to when the rail image is photographed by the TV left camera 1 is sufficiently short, the free screen will be displayed for 1111M regardless of the speed of the traveling vehicle. The photo will be taken in the center. The fact that images are always taken at the center of the screen from the vertical direction allows the subsequent image processing process to be performed within Fm, and can shorten the image processing time.

414 is a top view IA of a part of the configuration shown in FIG. 3 viewed from above the rail. The annular strobes 12a, 12b have an electrode 12b which is a non-light emitting part at a point in the annular light emitting part 12a, and the true part of this electrode is illuminating or slightly dark. By arranging the electrodes 12b as shown, the non-uniformity of illumination becomes symmetrical with respect to the seam gap, and as a result, non-uniformity of illumination does not occur in the rail extension direction, which reduces the error factor in photographic inspection.

In this example, the TV camera 11, the annular strobe 12, the transmitting stage 13, the receiving means 14, etc. are housed as a whole in a housing (not shown) to protect them from dust, water droplets, etc. .

Laser light emission, incidence, and relay 11! The i-interval image is captured through a transparent window (not shown). If this arrangement is used, there is a risk that the light from the strobe will be reflected by the window and enter the V camera, causing a ghost to appear in the image. To prevent this, put the TV left camera 1 in the window! The TV camera is placed as close as possible, and the aperture of the TV camera is narrowed down as much as possible, and the thickness of the window is minimized to ensure that the strobe light reflected by the window is not reflected by the TV left camera 1.
is placed so that it does not enter directly into the

In this embodiment, in order to obtain a still image, a strobe light source that instantaneously illuminates the rail based on the seam gap detection signal is used as the annular illumination means, but the present invention is not limited to this. Using a continuous annular light source and a TV camera with a high-speed shutter,
A still 1F image may be obtained by inputting a detection signal between seams to a high-speed shutter TV camera. However, in this case, in order to obtain a still image suitable for measuring the free space A1, the shutter speed of the TV camera must be sufficiently shorter than the vehicle running speed.

With the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, the entire apparatus of the imaging means 1 can be made very compact. Note that the other imaging means 1' also has the same configuration. and,
The images taken by the pair of imaging means at 0.degree. C. are sequentially stored in the main image storage 10 stages 3' via the auxiliary image storage section 6, 6', as described above. This image can be processed by passing it through an image processing device either on the spot or after being brought back.
It is possible to automatically measure the clearance value, and it is also possible to roughly judge whether C1 is good or bad by looking at this image.

In the first embodiment described above, image information II! Statue - 1 tier 1.1"
The transmission time from 1 to 1 image storage stage 3 is controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to the arrangement of the PJSz diagram, and when the control means 2 detects the presence of a specific structure on the track, the control means 2 commands the main image storage means 3. In this case, the image storage means 3 may send an auxiliary image record tQFjB in response to this detection signal.
6 and 6', image information is sequentially transferred.

Next, a second embodiment will be explained.

In the first embodiment, images of the joints 11 of the two rails are each taken from above using two image pickup units, and in the second embodiment shown in FIG.

2-) The image pickup unit takes images of one joint gap of one rail from two different directions on the side of the rail.In this embodiment, the joint gap detection unit 5 or the two image pickup units 4.4', and based on the detection signal, images from different parts of the city during one transfer are simultaneously captured.The two imaging Ff 64.4" The images are taken of the opposite side of the rail rotation position, and the inner and outer gaps 4 of the rail are captured at curved parts of the actual track.
Even if the tl is different, each image can be taken at the same time.

When measuring the rail free space, it is necessary to measure the rail temperature at the same time, and if you use a radiation thermometer, you can perform a non-contact temperature measurement in parallel with the step 11 free space image shooting. . FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and is an example of rail temperature measurement using a pair of radiation thermometers corresponding to a pair of tM image means of the present invention.

In this case, a pair of imaging stages 1.1 installed on the
' (consisting of an imaging section 4.4' and a seam gap detection device 5.5'), control stage F2. 'E The image storage means 3 etc.
°C as in the example.

In this embodiment, a radiation thermometer 16,16- is provided, which is placed directly next to the imaging means 1.1', and measures the temperature of the side surfaces of the rails 7,7' on the opposite sides. The temperature on the side surface of the rail is measured because the top surface of the rail is close to a mirror surface, so the emissivity is almost zero, making accurate measurement impossible. With this arrangement, each rail temperature corresponding to the location can be obtained when measuring each seam gap. Also, if the side of the rail is exposed to direct sunlight, there is a possibility that a temperature difference will occur between both sides of the rail. In this case, each of the radiation M thermometers 16 and 16' of the third embodiment may be configured with two radiation thermometers. For example, if the radiation thermometers 16a and 16b shown in No. 71n show the h minute of such a configuration example are placed so as to sandwich one rail from both sides as shown in I, and both F sides of this rail are measured, good.

In the device of the 3rd J! example as described above, the entire device including the radiation thermometer can be configured compactly.In addition, the joint allows the amount detection signal to be input manually to the radiation thermometer. If the temperature is measured in synchronization with the photographing of the inspection object, it is possible to obtain the rail temperature as information corresponding to the seam gap when measuring each seam gap.In addition, in the third embodiment described above, Alternatively, only the rail temperature may be measured and stored as information corresponding to the seam gaps that are the objects to be inspected, or other information (time, location, seam number, etc.) may be measured and stored along with the portraits of the seam gaps.

The present invention is not limited to this, but can also be used to inspect rail fastening devices, etc.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth example in which the present invention is applied to rail fastening device inspection.
This is an example. The imaging section 4.4' consists of a pair of TV cameras and an annular strobe.

The arrangement is such that images of the fastening devices 8.8' located on each rail 7.7' are taken respectively. Since the fastening device 8.8' is in a one-to-one relationship with the sleeper 9, this is detected by the sleeper sensor lO using ultrasonic waves, and the two strobes are activated. The photographed fastening device image is stored in the auxiliary image memory 7.
1m6.6', and is sequentially transferred to image storage 1st stage 3 by 1g#L stage 2. In this case, since the spacing of the fastening devices is quite short compared to the spacing of the rail joints 11, the transfer to the storage device [stage 3] and the processing time for this storage need to be as short as I minutes, e.g. image memory r,
IN 3, continuous recording by the VTR can be made 1+, and images can be transferred from the auxiliary image storage section 6.6' to this.In addition, in this case, sleeper detection is not performed and the TV Camera continuously tmF#t.

Alternatively, the images of the track obtained may be alternately transferred to the VTR of the main image storage means 3, and the fastening devices may be selected from among the images to determine the quality of f. However, in order to capture a still image by 4'J, it is necessary to emit a strobe light for each frame of continuous shooting with the TV left camera, or to combine continuous illumination light with a shutter-type TV camera.

In addition, although the configuration is not limited to using a light beam or ultrasonic waves to detect a specific structure on the orbit, the detection of a specific structure on the orbit-L is not limited to this. Other energetic beams may also be used.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the track inspection device of the present invention, the existence of a specific structure on track 111F is detected, and the detection pair SI of track 1- is detected.
! Since images of objects are taken, there are a large number of objects to be inspected at random on the track. can be photographed.

Then, by using a pair of imaging means to take an image of the knee part of the orbit l, and sequentially transferring and storing this one image to one image storage means, the entire apparatus can be integrated into a cylinder. .

If such a track inspection device is installed in a running vehicle and used for track inspection, many track inspections can be carried out in a short period of time, making track management much more efficient than before. . In particular, the measurement between the small seams 'ilt in the example is as follows:
Due to the M gap setting, inspections are carried out during particularly limited seasons of the year, so short-time measurements using heavy vehicles are very effective as there is little temperature difference. All of the JII-specified data, which used to be manually organized, can be recorded and compiled into a database without human intervention, resulting in significant labor savings.

4, four sides tl) flti rns a II No. 11m is concept 1:4 showing a configuration example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, No. 31A is a 1 m cross section showing the 11th imaging stage of No. 21A in detail, and No. 414 is a cross section of 1 m showing the 11th imaging stage of FIG. 3. show? FIG. 5 shows the configuration l′jI of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 and 7124 show the configuration of the third embodiment using a radiation thermometer and its modification. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(Explanation of No. n in the essential part of F) 1.1'... Imaging means 2...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Controlling child actor 3...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Main image storage means 4.4 ・・・Imaging section 5.5'...
...... Seam clearance detection section 6.6'...
......Auxiliary image storage section 7.7'...
・・・・・・Rail 8.8′・・・・・・・・・・・・
Fastening device 9...River...Sleeper lO...Old...Sleeper sensor 11...--- −−・−−−−−−・T
V camera 12... River... Annular strobe 13... Laser transmitting section 14...・・・・・・・・・・・・Laser light receiving part 15・・・・・・・・・Old・・・JI
S Fl 1lii determination unit 16.16'...
Radiation thermometer 20・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Vehicle Hakomi M5 diagram

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A pair of imaging means for photographing images at two locations on orbit, a main image storage means for recording image information photographed by the pair of imaging means, and controlling the pair of imaging means. a control means for selectively sequentially transferring image information of two locations on the orbit taken by the pair of imaging means to the main image storage means; Inspection equipment. 2. A pair of imaging means each detecting a specific structure on the orbit and photographing an image on the orbit based on the detection result, and storing image information transferred from the pair of imaging means. main image storage means, and when the image is being transferred from one of the pair of imaging means to the main image storage means, prohibiting the transfer of the image from the other of the pair of imaging means to the main image storage means; A track inspection device comprising: a control means for controlling. 3. The track inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pair of temperature detection means.