JP7285472B2 - Underwater photography device and underwater photography method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an underwater photography device and an underwater photography method using the same.

When inspecting existing structures underwater (including in stable liquid and muddy water), divers may dive underwater to check. However, in a stable liquid or in muddy water, visibility is poor and it is difficult to visually confirm. Also, divers cannot dive in narrow spaces. Therefore, in order to confirm the current state of existing structures and the like, underwater photography may be performed using an underwater camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Underwater cameras are generally suspended from the ground and photographed while being moved along the outer surface of an existing structure or the like. However, even when using an underwater camera, it is difficult to photograph underwater with poor visibility. For this reason, Patent Document 2 discloses an inspection apparatus that includes a photographing means housed in a housing casing and a transparent sheet disposed between the photographing means and the photographing surface. The inspection apparatus of Patent Document 2 fills a space surrounded by a housing casing and a transparent sheet with clean water, and performs imaging with an imaging means while the transparent sheet is in contact with an imaging surface. It is possible to shoot the shooting surface in stable liquid and muddy water). However, in the inspection device of Patent Document 2, when the inspection device is moved, there is a risk that the transparent sheet will come into contact with an existing structure or the like and be damaged. If the transparent sheet is damaged, turbid water or the like will enter the storage casing, making it impossible to photograph.

JP-A-2004-48331 JP-A-05-196429

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to propose an underwater photographing apparatus and an underwater photographing method that make it possible to photograph a photographing target surface even underwater with poor visibility.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an underwater photographing apparatus of the present invention comprises photographing means for photographing a surface to be photographed, a box body for housing the photographing means, and an extendable cylinder provided on the side surface of the box body. I have it. The box includes a square tubular main body and a tubular mounting section fixed to a side surface of the main body, and the photographing means photographs the exterior of the box through the tubular mounting section. It is housed in the main body as possible. The extensible cylinder is fixed to the cylinder mounting portion, is extendable in the axial direction and communicates with the cylinder mounting portion, and the tip of the telescopic cylinder is shielded by a transparent pressing surface. and the expandable cylinder expands due to the pressure of the gas or liquid supplied to the box.
Further, the underwater photographing method of the present invention includes the operation of suspending the box to a predetermined position, supplying gas or liquid to the box to extend the telescopic cylinder, and moving the pressing surface portion to the photographing target surface. and a work of photographing the surface to be photographed by the photographing means while the pressing surface portion is in close contact with the surface to be photographed.
According to the underwater photographing apparatus and the underwater photographing method, since the box is moved while the telescopic cylinder is contracted, the telescopic cylinder is less likely to come into contact with other members (for example, existing structures). Therefore, the telescopic cylinder is less likely to be damaged. In addition, since the telescopic cylinder is stretched at a predetermined position and the pressing surface is pressed against the surface to be photographed, the surface to be photographed can be photographed even underwater with poor visibility.

In addition, a cover member may be provided to cover the pressing surface portion of the telescopic cylinder during contraction. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably prevent the shrinkable cylinder from coming into contact with other members and being damaged when the box is moved.
Moreover, it is desirable that the box has a guide rail that allows the box to move up and down. In this way, it is possible to prevent the position of the box from moving, and to secure the reaction force by the guide rail, so that the pressing surface portion can be pressed against the surface to be photographed more reliably.

According to the underwater photographing device and the underwater photographing method of the present invention, the telescopic cylinder is less likely to be damaged. In addition, since the telescopic cylinder is stretched at a predetermined position and the photographing is performed with the pressing surface pressed against the surface to be photographed, the surface to be photographed can be photographed even underwater with poor visibility.

It is a front view showing an underwater photographing device concerning this embodiment. It is a sectional view showing an underwater photography device. It is a top view which shows an underwater imaging device. It is a figure which shows a submersible pump, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a photographing situation using the underwater photographing device;

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which an underwater photographing device 1 (see FIG. 1) is used to photograph the outer surface of a structure when confirming the current state of the structure underwater. For the purpose of photographing a structure underwater, for example, when constructing an underground structure that is continuous with an existing structure, an excavation groove is formed along the outer surface of the existing structure to clean the outer surface of the existing structure. In some cases, the cleaning status of the outer surface may be checked. Also, when photographing a structure such as a dam from underwater, an underwater camera may be used.
An underwater photographing apparatus 1 used for photographing a structure underwater includes a box 2, photographing means 3, an extendable cylinder 4, and a lid member 5, as shown in FIGS.

The box 2 is a container made of steel, and includes a rectangular tubular main body 21 and a cylindrical tubular attachment 22 .
The body portion 21 is mainly formed of a steel pipe in the shape of a rectangular tube, and the bottom portion is shielded by a bottom plate 23 . A flange 25 for fixing the shielding lid 24 is formed at the upper end of the body portion 21 . The flange 25 is made of L-shaped steel. One piece of the flange 25 is overlapped and welded to the upper edge of the body portion 21, and the other piece projects sideways. The flange 25 is formed with bolt holes corresponding to the plurality of bolt holes formed in the edge of the shielding lid 24 . The shielding lid 24 is fixed to the main body 21 by screwing nuts N onto bolts B inserted through the bolt holes of the shielding lid 24 and the flange 25 while being placed on the flange 25 . A sealing material or packing is preferably interposed between the upper end of the main body 21 or the contact portion between the flange 25 and the shielding lid 24 .

The shielding lid 24 is connected with a pressure-feeding hose P for pressure-feeding water, air, or the like into the main body 21 . The pressure feed hose P is connected to a hose connector formed on the shielding lid 24 . Although two hose connection portions are formed in this embodiment, the number and arrangement of the hose connection portions are not limited.
Drain holes 26 are formed in the upper and lower portions of the body portion 21, respectively. The drain hole 26 is provided with an on-off valve for opening and closing the drain hole 26 . Although the arrangement and number of the drain holes 26 are not limited, at least the upper drain holes 26 are arranged above the photographing means 3, and the lower drain holes 26 are located near the bottom plate 23. Form. The drain hole 26 may be formed as required.
The tubular body attachment portion 22 is fixed to one of the four side surfaces of the body portion 21 . The cylindrical body attachment portion 22 is made of a cylindrical steel pipe and communicates with the inside of the main body portion 21 .

The box 2 can move up and down (up and down) along guide rails 6 erected in the water. In addition, the guide rail 6 may be provided as needed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, H-shaped steel is used as the guide rail 6 in this embodiment. The material forming the guide rail 6 is not limited, and may be, for example, channel steel. A locking member 27 that is locked to the guide rail 6 is protruded from the side surface of the body portion 21 of the box 2 opposite to the cylindrical body mounting portion 22 . The locking member 27 is constructed by combining steel materials. The locking member 27 includes a pair of connecting portions 27a, 27a made of steel plates erected on the outer surface of the main body portion 21, a base portion 27b made of channel steel fixed to the ends of the connecting portions 27a, 27a, and a base portion 27b. locking portions 27c, 27c made of L-shaped steel fixed to both flanges. The locking member 27 slides along the guide rail 6 with the locking portion 27 c locked to one flange of the guide rail 6 . Further, the base portion 27b is provided with a roller 27d that rotates about the horizontal axis. The roller 27 d runs on the surface of the flange of the guide rail 6 . The box 2 slides along the guide rail 6 with the locking member 27 locked to the guide rail 6 . In addition, the structure of the locking member 27 is not limited.
A wire locking portion 28 is formed on the upper outer surface of the box 2 . The box 2 is hung by a hanging wire W locked to the wire locking portion 28 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a water pipe 7 is arranged on the lower surface of the main body 21 (the lower surface of the bottom plate 23). The water pipe 7 is connected to a water pump provided on the ground, and a nozzle 71 is provided at the tip of the water pipe 7 . Water (clear water) supplied from the water pump is jetted from the nozzle 71 toward the object to be photographed. In addition, the water pipe 7 may be provided as needed. Further, the water pipe 7 does not necessarily have to be laid under the main body 21 and may be laid above the main body 21 . Also, the number of water pipes 7 is not limited, and two or more pipes may be provided. Furthermore, the water pipe 7 may be provided with a plurality of nozzles 71 via branch pipes.

The photographing means 3 is a so-called underwater camera that photographs a surface to be photographed. The photographing means 3 is housed in the box 2 . The photographing means 3 is attached to a pedestal 31 fixed to the bottom plate 23 of the box 2 . The photographing means 3 is provided so as to be able to photograph the exterior of the box 2 through the cylinder mounting portion 22 . Further, the photographing means 3 can change the photographing direction vertically and horizontally within a predetermined range. A cable 32 extending from the ground is connected to the photographing means 3 . The photographing means 3 can control the timing of photographing, the direction of photographing, and the like by means of signals transmitted via the cable 32 . Note that the imaging means 3 does not necessarily have to be connected to the cable 32, and may be wireless.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the telescopic cylinder 4 is attached to a cylinder attachment portion 22 formed on the side surface of the box 2. As shown in FIGS. The telescopic cylinder 4 includes a tubular body 41 and a transparent pressing surface 42 that shields the tip of the tubular body 41 . The cylindrical body 41 and the pressing surface portion 42 are made of a transparent and soft vinyl sheet, and the pressing surface portion 42 is fixed (welded or glued) to the opening end of the cylindrical body 41 . A proximal end portion of the telescopic cylinder 4 (cylinder main body 41 ) is fixed to the outer surface of the cylinder mounting portion 22 . The method of fixing the telescopic cylinder 4 is not limited, but for example, it may be adhered or welded to the cylinder mounting portion 22, or it may be fixed by a jig 43 such as a band. Further, the telescopic cylinder 4 may be fixed to the inner surface side of the cylinder mounting portion 22 . A cylindrical main body 41 of the telescopic cylindrical body 4 is capable of expanding and contracting in the axial direction, communicates with the cylindrical body mounting portion 22 , and expands due to the pressure of the gas or liquid supplied to the box 2 . That is, the telescopic cylinder 4 shields the tip of the cylinder mounting portion 22 .

The cover member 5 is provided at the tip of the cylindrical body mounting portion 22 and covers the pressing surface portion 42 of the telescopic cylindrical body 4 during contraction. The lid member 5 is detachably attached to the cylinder attachment portion 22 . By removing the lid member 5, the telescopic cylinder 4 is exposed. Note that the lid member 5 may be rotatably attached to the cylindrical body attachment portion via a hinge or the like. A wire (not shown) is connected to the cover member 5 and extends to the ground portion, and the cover member 5 can be removed from the cylinder mounting portion 22 by pulling up the wire. In addition, the structure of the cover material 5 is not limited.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a submersible pump 8 is provided at the lower end of the box 2 for cleaning the imaging target surface. The submersible pump 8 may be provided via a frame 81 fixed to the lower end of the box 2 . The frame body 81 is formed by combining steel materials, and includes a pair of left and right vertical members 82, 82, a horizontal member 83 horizontally spanning the upper ends of the pair of vertical members 82, 82, and a pair of vertical members 82, 82, and 82. and a bottom member 84 fixed to the lower end of 82 . A top plate 85 is fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal member 83 . A leg portion 29 (L-shaped steel in this embodiment) of the box 2 is fixed to the upper surface of the top plate 85 .
The submersible pump 8 is placed on the bottom member 84 and is held from the front and rear by fixing bands 86, 86 that span the central portions of the pair of vertical members 82, 82. As shown in FIG. A nozzle 87 for injecting water toward the front (toward the surface to be photographed) is formed on the upper portion of the submersible pump 8 . That is, the submersible pump 8 cleans the imaging target surface by ejecting water taken in from the surroundings from the nozzle 87 .

When using the underwater photographing device 1, first, the inside of the box 2 is filled with water on the ground. Clean water such as tap water containing no impurities is used as the water to be injected into the inside of the box 2 . When the inside of the box 2 is filled with water, the upper drain hole 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is opened to drain the water above the drain hole 26 from the inside of the box 2 . By doing this, the inside of the box 2 is in a state where water of a predetermined depth is stored. After draining the water, the drain hole 26 is covered. It should be noted that water may be poured while the drain hole 26 on the upper side is open. In this case, water should be poured into the inside of the box 2 until drainage from the drain hole 26 is confirmed.
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, a guide rail 6 is erected at a predetermined distance from the photographing target surface S of the structure. The guide rail 6 may be supported vertically from above the water, or may be erected with its lower end in contact with the bottom of the water. After erecting the guide rails 6, the box 2 is lowered along the guide rails 6 to hang the box 2 to a predetermined position. At this time, the submersible pump 8 is used to inject water onto the surface to be photographed to clean the surface to be photographed.

After the box 2 is lowered to a predetermined position, the cover member 5 is removed from the cylinder mounting portion 22 to expose the expandable cylinder 4. - 特許庁Subsequently, air is forced into the box 2 through the pressure-feeding hose P. When air is injected into the box body 2, the telescopic cylinder body 4 is extended. The telescopic cylinder 4 is extended until the pressing surface portion 42 is in close contact with the imaging target surface S. As shown in FIG. At this time, water is jetted from the nozzle 71 to clean the surface S to be photographed and supply fresh water around the surface S to be photographed.
After the pressing surface portion 42 is brought into close contact with the surface S to be photographed, the surface to be photographed is photographed by the photographing means 3 . It is desirable that the photographing of the surface S to be photographed is performed by appropriately changing the photographing direction of the photographing means 3 . After photographing, the underwater photographing device 1 (box 2) is moved to the next place, and photographing is performed by the photographing means 3. When the box 2 is moved, the inside of the box 2 is evacuated through the pressure-feeding hose P. When the air is exhausted from the box 2, the telescopic cylinder 4 contracts due to the water pressure around the box 2, so that the pressing surface portion 42 is separated from the imaging target surface S. The movement of the box 2 is performed in a state in which the pressing surface portion 42 is separated from the structure (imaging target surface S). At this time, the telescopic cylinder 4 may be covered with the lid member 5 as necessary. After placing the box 2 at a predetermined position, air is again injected into the box 2 to extend the expandable cylinder 4 and bring the pressing surface 42 into contact with the surface to be photographed.
When the photographing by the underwater photographing device 1 is completed, the box 2 is collected and the water is drained from the drain hole 26 on the lower side of the box 2. - 特許庁

According to the underwater photographing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, since the telescopic cylinder 4 is contracted and the box 2 is moved while being covered with the cover member 5, the telescopic cylinder 4 is moved to another member (for example, a structure). etc.). Therefore, the telescopic cylinder 4 is less likely to be damaged.
In addition, since the telescopic cylinder 4 is stretched at a predetermined position and the pressing surface portion 42 is pressed against the surface to be photographed, the surface to be photographed can be photographed even in water with poor visibility (muddy water). can be done.
Further, since the box 2 is moved along the guide rails 6, the positioning of the box 2 is easy. In addition, since the box 2 is supported by the guide rails 6, it is possible to prevent the position of the box 2 from being shaken, and it is possible to photograph with high accuracy. Furthermore, by securing the reaction force by the guide rail 6, the pressing surface portion 42 can be pressed against the imaging target surface more reliably.
Since the inside of the box 2 is not filled with water but contains an air layer, it is possible to regulate the pressure inside the box 2 . That is, by supplying compressed air to the inside of the box 2, the pressure inside the box 2 is made larger than the surrounding pressure (water pressure), so that the telescopic cylinder 4 can be expanded. On the other hand, if the supply of compressed air to the inside of the box 2 is stopped and the air pressure is made equal to the atmospheric pressure, the pressure inside the box 2 becomes lower than the pressure of the water level (water pressure). is contracted.
Since the surface S to be photographed can be cleaned by using the submersible pump 8, the surface S to be photographed can be photographed in a state in which deposits are removed. Since the submersible pump 8 takes in surrounding water and injects it, there is no need to separately prepare water, which is economical.
Since water can be jetted from the nozzle 71 onto the surface S to be photographed, clean water can be supplied around the surface S to be photographed to improve the field of view.
Since the underwater photographing device 1 can be positioned and photographed by remote control, there is no need for a worker to operate the underwater photographing device 1 underwater, and it is excellent in safety.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and each component can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the submersible pump 8 is arranged on the lower side of the box 2 has been described, but the submersible pump 8 may be provided as necessary. That is, the cleaning means for the imaging target surface S may be a device different from the underwater imaging device 1 .
Moreover, the lid member 5 may be provided as necessary. For example, the cover member 5 may be omitted when the telescopic cylinder 4 is accommodated in the cylinder mounting portion 22 or when the underwater photographing apparatus 1 is moved at a position sufficiently separated from the structure.
Although a case where a cylindrical member is fixed to the side surface of the body portion 21 as the cylindrical body mounting portion 22 has been described, the configuration of the cylindrical body mounting portion 22 is not limited. The tubular body attachment portion 22 may be, for example, an opening formed in the side surface of the main body portion 21 so that the telescopic tubular body 4 can be attached.
In the above-described embodiment, the inside of the box 2 is filled with water and air. The fluid to be filled inside is not limited, and for example, only compressed air or water may be filled.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 underwater photographing device 2 box 21 main body 22 barrel mounting portion 3 photographing means 4 telescopic barrel 41 barrel main body 42 pressing surface portion 5 cover member 6 guide rail 7 water pipe S surface to be photographed

Claims (4)

a photographing means for photographing a surface to be photographed;
a box housing the photographing means;
and a telescopic cylinder provided on the side surface of the box, the underwater photographing device comprising:
The box includes a rectangular tubular main body and a tubular mounting section fixed to a side surface of the main body,
The photographing means is housed in the main body so as to be able to photograph the outside of the box through the cylinder mounting portion,
The telescopic cylinder is fixed to the cylinder mounting portion, is extendable and contractible in the axial direction, and communicates with the cylinder mounting portion,
The tip of the telescopic cylinder is shielded by a transparent pressing surface,
An underwater photographing apparatus, wherein the extensible cylinder expands due to pressure of gas or liquid supplied to the box. 2. An underwater photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover member covering said pressing surface portion of said telescopic cylinder when contracted. 3. An underwater photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said box is provided with a guide rail capable of moving up and down. An underwater photography method using the underwater photography device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
a task of hanging the box to a predetermined position;
an operation of supplying gas or liquid to the box to extend the telescopic cylinder and bring the pressing surface portion into close contact with the imaging target surface;
and photographing the surface to be photographed by the photographing means while the pressing surface portion is in close contact with the surface to be photographed.

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