Camera mounting device

Abstract

A fastening device is provided for the detachable attachment of a device to a carriage of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system, wherein the fastening device has a back and a front, wherein the fastening device - a largely vertical lower section, - a largely vertical upper section, and - a sloping middle section has the upper section being arranged offset to the rear or forward by a predetermined offset relative to the lower section.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening device for detachably attaching a camera to a carriage of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system, and to a carriage of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system with a fastening device for detachably attaching a camera to the carriage. Background of the invention

[0002] When inspecting sewers with an egg-shaped profile, there is an increased risk of inspection equipment, such as a crawler with an attached inspection camera, tipping sideways. To prevent tipping, it is known to equip the crawler with an egg-shaped profile adapter. Fig. Figure 1 shows a channel 60 with an egg-shaped profile. A carriage 30 is located in the channel 60, to which an egg-shaped profile adapter 50 is attached. The egg-shaped profile adapter 50 has arms extending to the left and right, at the free ends of which are guide wheels that rest against the inner wall of the channel.

[0003] However, such egg-shaped profile adapters have several disadvantages.

[0004] Egg-shaped profile adapters are structurally complex because the arms must be able to extend or swivel laterally to position the guide wheels against the inner wall of the channel. Hydraulic actuators are usually used for this purpose. As a result, egg-shaped profile adapters are typically quite heavy.

[0005] The guide wheels can protrude into the side inlets of the canal when passing them. The weight of the egg-shaped profile adapter significantly shifts the center of gravity of the entire system upwards, and the laterally projecting arms with their guide wheels result in overall system instability. Both of these factors can significantly increase the likelihood of the guide wheels engaging with the side inlet, as the entire system can tip over much more easily towards it. This creates a risk of the guide wheels becoming entangled in the side inlet. Furthermore, when passing through a manhole, which typically does not have an egg-shaped profile, the system is at risk of tipping over due to the instability exacerbated by the egg-shaped profile adapter.

[0006] The egg-shaped profile adapters are usually adapted to the carriage used, so egg-shaped profile adapters adapted to each carriage must be kept on hand for different carriages. Object of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solution that avoids the aforementioned disadvantages and yet enables safe and simple inspection of channels having an egg profile. Inventive solution

[0008] This problem is solved by a fastening device for detachably attaching a camera to a carriage of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system, and by a carriage of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system with a fastening device according to the invention as defined in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, a fastening device is provided for the detachable attachment of a device to a carriage of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system, wherein the fastening device has a back and a front, wherein the fastening device - a largely vertical lower section, - a largely vertical upper section, and - a sloping middle section exhibits, whereby - the middle section connects the lower section with the upper section, - the upper section is arranged offset to the rear or front relative to the lower section by a predetermined amount, - a first adapter is arranged on the rear and / or front of the lower section, with which the fastening device can be detachably attached directly or indirectly to the carriage, and - a second adapter is arranged on the front and / or rear of the upper section, to which the device can be detachably attached to the mounting device.

[0010] "Detachably attachable directly to the trolley" means that the fastening device can be attached directly to the trolley.

[0011] "Indirectly detachable to the carriage" means that at least one unit is provided between the fastening device and the carriage, which is attached to the carriage on one side and to which the fastening device can be attached on the other. An example of such a unit is a lifting arm that is attached to the carriage (possibly detachably), with the fastening device being attachable to the free end of the lifting arm.

[0012] The largely vertical lower section, the largely vertical upper section and the sloping middle section together form a basic framework.

[0013] The first adapter and the second adapter can each have connections, with the connections of the first adapter leading to the connections of the second adapter.

[0014] The fastening device can have at least two first support rods, wherein - the first support rod on the left side of the fastening device extends beyond the profile of the fastening device, and - the other first support rod on the right side of the fastening device protrudes beyond the profile of the fastening device.

[0015] The fastening device may optionally have at least two second support rods, wherein - a second support rod protrudes beyond the profile of the fastening device on the left side, and - the other second support rod protrudes beyond the profile of the fastening device on the right side.

[0016] It is advantageous if the second support rods are arranged at a predetermined vertical distance below the first support rods on the fastening device.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the second support rods protrude less far beyond the profile of the fastening device than the first support rods.

[0018] The first support rods and / or the second support rods can be designed to be flexible and have a predetermined restoring force.

[0019] The fastening device can be manufactured using a lightweight design.

[0020] The second adapter can be pivoted about a pivot axis from the front to the back of the upper section, preferably by at least 180°. The pivot axis can be a vertical or transverse axis.

[0021] It is advantageous if a controllable actuator is assigned to the swivel axis, with which the second adapter can be swivelled.

[0022] The device may include an inspection unit, in particular an inspection camera.

[0023] Furthermore, a carriage of a canal inspection and / or maintenance system is provided, with a fastening device according to the invention that is detachably attached directly or indirectly to the carriage.

[0024] The carriage may have a connection unit that corresponds to the first adapter of the mounting device in order to detachably attach the mounting device to the connection unit.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the trolley can have a lifting unit at the free end of which a connection module is provided that corresponds to the first adapter of the fastening device in order to detachably attach the fastening device to the connection module. Brief description of the characters

[0026] Further details and features of the invention, as well as specific, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention, will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a state-of-the-art system with an egg-shaped profile adapter; Fig. 2 a fastening device according to the invention for detachably fastening a camera to a carriage in a perspective view; Fig. 3 the in Fig. 2 Fastening device shown in a side view, in a top view and in a front view; Fig. 4 an alternative embodiment of a fastening device according to the invention in a side view; Fig. 5 a fastening device according to the invention with a first possibility of fastening to a trolley; Fig. 6 a fastening device according to the invention with a second possibility of fastening to a trolley; and Fig. 7 a fastening device according to the invention with a possibility of fastening to a lifting device of a trolley. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] The fastening device according to the invention for detachably attaching a camera to a carriage of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system can advantageously be used for inspecting sewers with an egg-shaped profile. The inspection process is also significantly simplified.

[0028] The shape of the mounting device, optionally in combination with a lightweight construction, ensures that the center of gravity of the sewer inspection and / or maintenance system is not significantly altered compared to a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system without a mounting device according to the invention. This means that the stability of the sewer inspection and / or maintenance system is not negatively affected by the mounting device.

[0029] The use of a fastening device according to the invention also eliminates the need for a conventional egg-shaped profile adapter, while still effectively preventing the system from tipping over, firstly due to the low center of gravity and secondly due to the use of flexible support rods.

[0030] The support rods also have the advantage that they do not snag when accessing a side inlet of the channel. Furthermore, the support rods can be designed to be detachable and therefore replaceable, allowing their dimensions to be easily adapted to the dimensions of the channel being inspected.

[0031] Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a fastening device 1 according to the invention for detachably fastening a camera 20 to a (not shown here) carriage, wherein in Fig. 2 the fastening device in a perspective view and in Fig. 3 is shown in a side view (Figure (a)), in a top view (Figure (b)) and in a front view (Figure (c)).

[0032] The fastening device 1 has a back side R and a front side V and essentially comprises three sections that form a basic framework of the fastening device, namely - a largely vertical lower section 10u, - a largely vertical upper section 10o, and - a sloping middle section 10s. where the middle section 10s connects the lower section 10u with the upper section 10o.

[0033] All three sections, and thus the basic framework, can be constructed using lightweight materials. For example, the basic framework can have a rib-like, honeycomb, and / or grid-like structure, with the design chosen to ensure the required stability and strength. Lightweight materials can be used, such as fiber-reinforced plastics like carbon fiber reinforced plastic or glass fiber reinforced plastic. This ensures that the center of gravity of the system to which the mounting device is attached is not altered, or only minimally so, and therefore has virtually no or only a negligible impact on the stability of the sewer inspection and / or maintenance system within the sewer.Furthermore, the drive units of the carriage can be protected, since only a very small additional weight needs to be carried with the fastening device according to the invention.

[0034] A first adapter 11u is provided or arranged on the rear side R of the lower section 10u, with which the fastening device can be detachably attached to the carriage 30 or to a lifting device of the carriage. The first adapter 11u is preferably designed such that the fastening device can be attached to and detached from the carriage or the lifting device without tools.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, a first adapter 11u can alternatively be provided or arranged on the front side V of the lower section 10u.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, a first adapter 11u can be provided or arranged both on the rear side R and on the front side V of the lower section 10u. This increases the flexibility with regard to attachment to a trolley.

[0037] A second adapter 11o is arranged on the front face V of the upper section 10o, to which an inspection unit, in particular a camera 20, can be detachably attached to the mounting device. Here too, the second adapter 11o is preferably designed such that the inspection unit can be attached to and detached from the mounting device without tools.

[0038] Alternatively, the second adapter 11o can also be arranged on the rear side R of the upper section 10o.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the invention, a second adapter 110 can be provided or arranged both on the rear side R and on the front side V of the upper section 100. This increases the flexibility with regard to the attachment of an inspection unit to the mounting device.

[0040] The upper section 10o is arranged offset to the rear by a predetermined distance Δd relative to the lower section 10u. Alternatively, the upper section 10o can be arranged offset to the front by a predetermined distance Δd relative to the lower section 10u. The direction of the offset depends essentially on the specific requirements, in particular on the desired horizontal position of the inspection unit relative to the carriage.

[0041] The first adapter 11u and the second adapter 11o each have connections 12u and 12o, respectively, with the connections 12u of the first adapter 11u leading to the connections 12o of the second adapter 11o, for example by means of electrical wires. These wires can run or be arranged within the base structure, preferably in a closed channel of the base structure. The connections of the first adapter 11u correspond to the connections of the second adapter 11o.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening device has two first support rods 151, 15r, these support rods being arranged on the base frame. The first support rods can be detachably attached to the base frame (e.g. by means of screws) so that they can be removed or replaced by other support rods if necessary.

[0043] The first support rod (151) is arranged on the base frame or on the fastening device in such a way that it projects beyond the profile of the fastening device (as shown in particular in Figure (c) of the Fig. 3 is clearly visible). The other first support rod (15r) is arranged on the base frame or on the fastening device in such a way that it projects beyond the profile of the fastening device (as shown in particular in Figure (c) of the Fig. 3 is clearly visible). According to one embodiment of the invention, the first support rods (151, 15r) can each be attached to the left or right side of the base support.

[0044] The dimensions of the first support rods 151, 15r are chosen such that they each project laterally beyond the carriage to which the mounting device is attached. In an egg-shaped channel, the free ends of the first support rods 151, 15r extend almost to or touch the inner wall of the channel. This prevents the inspection system from tipping over in an egg-shaped channel. Depending on the dimensions of the egg-shaped channel, shorter or longer first support rods 151, 15r can be used.

[0045] The fastening device can be, as in the design according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, comprising two second support bars 16l; 16r. One second support bar 16l is arranged on the mounting device such that it projects beyond the profile of the mounting device on the left side. The other second support bar 16r is arranged on the mounting device such that it projects beyond the profile of the mounting device on the right side. The second support bars 16l; 16r, in combination with the first support bars 15l 15r, further prevent the inspection system from tipping over in an egg-shaped channel.

[0046] The second support bars 16l; 16r are each arranged at a predetermined vertical distance Δs below the first support bars 151; 15r (i.e., below the respective first support bar) on the fastening device. It can be advantageous if the second support bars 16l, 16r project less far beyond the profile of the fastening device than the first support bars 151, 15r. In an egg-shaped channel, the second support bars arranged further down project essentially the same distance to the inner wall of the channel as the two first support bars arranged further up.

[0047] In the simplest case, the distance to which the respective support rods protrude beyond the profile of the fastening device can be determined by the length of the support rods.

[0048] At the in Fig. 2 and Fig. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3, the two first support rods are arranged at the transition from the middle section 10s to the upper section 10o, and the two second support rods are arranged below them on the middle section 10s. Thus, the first and second support rods are arranged with a specific horizontal offset from each other, which can be advantageous with regard to tilting stability, since it largely avoids a torque about a vertical axis of the system during tilting.

[0049] The first support rods 151, 15r and / or the second support rods 16l, 16r are designed to be flexible and advantageously have a predetermined restoring force. For example, the support rods can be made of a flexible plastic that allows a certain degree of bending without breaking. If, for example, the inner wall of the channel has an obstruction (such as a deposit), a support rod can yield as it passes and overcome the obstruction without tilting the carriage. After overcoming the obstruction, the support rod can straighten itself again.

[0050] The support rods each have a knob-like end piece at their free ends, preferably made of an abrasion-resistant plastic. This ensures that the support rods slide over the inner wall of the channel without snagging. The end pieces are preferably detachably attached to the respective support rod.

[0051] Fig. Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a fastening device 1 according to the invention in a side view.

[0052] The second adapter 11o is arranged on the front side V of the upper section 10o. This adapter 11o is pivotable about a pivot axis DA, which runs transversely to the mounting device, from the front side V to the rear side R of the upper section 10o, with the pivot angle preferably being at least 180°. This allows an inspection unit, such as a camera, to be used as a forward-facing inspection unit when the adapter 11o is arranged at the front. The same inspection unit can also be used as a rear-facing inspection unit when the adapter 11o is pivoted 180° backward, i.e., to the rear side R. Thus, one and the same camera can be used either as a reversing camera or as a normal front camera.

[0053] The second adapter 11o can be pivoted upwards towards the rear R. However, it is also possible to pivot the second adapter 11o downwards towards the rear R if the upper section 10o and, if applicable, the middle section 10s are designed accordingly to allow pivoting through.

[0054] Alternatively, the second adapter 11o can also be pivoted about a vertical axis of rotation DA2 from the front V to the rear R of the upper section 10o, with the pivot angle preferably being at least 180°.

[0055] In a further embodiment of the fastening device 1 according to the invention, which is not shown here, the upper section 10o can be rotatable relative to the middle section 10s, preferably about the vertical axis of rotation DA2.

[0056] It is advantageous if a controllable actuator is assigned to the rotary axis DA or the vertical rotary axis DA2, with which the swiveling process can be accomplished. The controllable actuator can be coupled to a control unit of the carriage, whereby the supply of electrical energy to the actuator and, if necessary, data transmission between the control unit and the actuator can be handled via power and data lines that run from the first adapter 11u to the second adapter 11o.

[0057] Fig. Figure 5 shows a fastening device 1 according to the invention with a first possibility of fastening to a trolley 30.

[0058] The trolley 30 has a connection unit 31 on its front, which corresponds to the first adapter 11u of the mounting device 1 and to which the adapter 11u can be connected. The connections of the connection unit 31 and the first adapter 11u are coupled to the second adapter 11o via the connection unit 31 and the first adapter 11u.

[0059] Fig. Figure 6 shows a fastening device 1 according to the invention with a second possibility of fastening to a trolley 30.

[0060] The carriage 30 has a connection unit 31 on its rear side, which corresponds to the first adapter 11u of the mounting device 1 and to which the first adapter 11u can be connected. In contrast to the one in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the second adapter 11o is not located at the rear of the upper section 10o, but rather at the front of the upper section 10o, so that a camera connected to the second adapter 11o can be used as a front camera even though the mounting device is attached to the rear end of the carriage. Optionally, the second adapter 11o can be, as described in Figure 5, Fig. 4 described, also pivotable about a rotational axis DA or about a vertical rotational axis DA2.

[0061] The carriage 30 can also have a connection unit 31 on its front, so that the fastening device 1 can also be connected there if required.

[0062] Fig. Figure 7 shows a fastening device 1 according to the invention with a possibility of fastening to a lifting device 40 of a trolley 30.

[0063] The lifting device 40 is designed here as a lifting arm that can be deflected upwards about a pivot axis. A connection module 41 is arranged at the free end of the lifting arm 40, to which the fastening device 1 with its first adapter 11u can be connected. The connections of the connection module 41 correspond to the connections 12u of the first adapter 11u.

[0064] Even when using the fastening device 1 on a lifting device 40, the second adapter 11o can be pivoted about a rotational axis DA or about a vertical rotational axis DA2. Furthermore, the first adapter 11u can also be located at the front V of the lower section 11u instead of at the rear R of the lower section 1u. The same applies to the second adapter 11o located at the front V of the upper section 10o, provided that the second adapter 11o is not pivotable.

[0065] The use of a lifting device 40 has the advantage that a camera mounted on the mounting device 1 can be raised to a desired height in the channel (e.g., centered in the channel). The lengths of the first support rods 151, 15r and, if applicable, the second support rods 16l, 16r can be selected to be optimal for use with a centered camera. This means that, with the camera centered in the channel, the support rods reach close to the inner wall of the channel. Nevertheless, the lifting arm 40, and thus also the mounting device 1 attached to it, can be lowered if necessary, since the support rods have a certain degree of flexibility and can then bend upwards if required. 1 fastening device 10o vertically extending upper section of the fastening device 1 10s sloping central section of the fastening device 1 10u vertically extending lower section of the fastening device 1 11o second adapter 11u first adapter 120 Connections (pins or sockets) of the second adapter 110 12u Connections (pins or sockets) of the first adapter 11u 151 first support rod (left) 15r first support rod (right) 16l second support rod (left) 16r second support rod (right) 20 devices, e.g. a camera 30 trolleys 31 Connection unit of the carriage 30 40 Lifting unit of the trolley 30 41 Connection module at the free end of the lifting unit 40 50 egg profile adapters (state of the art) 60 pipe or channel with an egg profile DA axis of rotation (transverse axis) DA2 vertical axis of rotation R Rear of the mounting device 1 V Front of the mounting device 1 Δd Offset between the upper section 10o and the lower section 10u Δs vertical distance between the first support rod 151, 15r and the second support rod 16l, 16r

Claims

[1] Fastening device (1) for detachably fastening a device (20) to a carriage (30) of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system, wherein the fastening device (1) has a rear side (R) and a front side (V), wherein the fastening device (1) - a largely vertical lower section (10u), - a largely vertical upper section (10o), and - has an obliquely extending central section (10s), wherein - the middle section (10s) connects the lower section (10u) with the upper section (10o), - the upper section (10o) is arranged offset backwards or forwards by a predetermined offset (Δd) relative to the lower section (10u), - a first adapter (11u) is arranged on the rear side (R) and / or on the front side (V) of the lower section (10u), with which adapter the fastening device can be releasably fastened directly or indirectly to the carriage (30), and - a second adapter (11o) is arranged on the front side (V) and / or on the rear side (R) of the upper section (10o), to which adapter the device (20) can be detachably fastened to the fastening device. [2] Fastening device according to the preceding claim, wherein the first adapter (11u) and the second adapter (11o) each have connections (12u; 12o), wherein the connections (12u) of the first adapter (11u) are led to the connections (12o) of the second adapter (11o). [3] Fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises at least two first support rods (151; 15r), wherein - the first support rod (151) on the left side of the fastening device projects beyond the profile of the fastening device, and - the other first support rod (15r) on the right side of the fastening device projects beyond the profile of the fastening device. [4] Fastening device according to the preceding claim, wherein it comprises at least two second support rods (16l; 16r), wherein - the second support rod (16l) on the left side of the fastening device projects beyond the profile of the fastening device, and - the other second support rod (16r) on the right side of the fastening device projects beyond the profile of the fastening device. [5] Fastening device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second support rods (16l; 16r) are each arranged at a predetermined vertical distance (Δs) below the first support rods (15l; 15r) on the fastening device. [6] Fastening device according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the second support rods (16l; 16r) project less far beyond the profile of the fastening device than the first support rods (15l; 15r). [7] Fastening device according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first support rods (151; 15r) and / or the second support rods (16l; 16r) are designed to be flexible and have a predetermined restoring force. [8] Fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device is manufactured in a lightweight construction. [9] Fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second adapter (11o) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (DA) from the front side (V) to the rear side (R) of the upper section (10o), preferably by at least 180°. [10] Fastening device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device 20 comprises an inspection unit, in particular an inspection camera. [11] Carriage (30) of a sewer inspection and / or maintenance system with a fastening device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which is releasably fastened directly or indirectly to the carriage. [12] A trolley according to the preceding claim, wherein it comprises a connection unit (31) corresponding to the first adapter (11u) of the fastening device (1) in order to releasably fasten the fastening device (1) to the connection unit (31). [13] A trolley according to claim 11, wherein it comprises a lifting unit (40), at the free end of which a connection module (41) is provided, which corresponds to the first adapter (11u) of the fastening device (1) in order to detachably fasten the fastening device (1) to the connection module (41).

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