Camera Fastening Structure for Stable Sewer Trolley Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing egg profile adapters for sewer inspection trolleys are constructively complex, heavy, and unstable, leading to potential tilting and interference with side inlets, requiring multiple adapters for different trolleys and increasing maintenance complexity.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight fastening device with a vertical lower section, vertical upper section, and slanted middle section, featuring adaptable support rods and swiveling adapters for secure and versatile attachment to trolleys and lifting devices, ensuring stability and ease of use in egg profile channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If an egg-shaped adapter with hydraulic adjustment devices is used to prevent tipping, then the stability of the crawler is improved, but the weight and complexity of the adapter increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is divided into three separate functional sections: a lower section for carriage attachment, an upper section for device attachment, and a middle sloping section connecting them. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring complex hydraulic systems, reducing overall weight while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex hydraulic adjustment devices to achieve stability, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple sloping middle section that passively provides stability through its geometric configuration. The sloping section naturally positions the upper section to prevent tipping without requiring active adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If guide wheels are positioned laterally to rest against the inner wall of the channel, then the crawler remains stable, but the guide wheels can protrude into side inlets and become caught

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidinterference with side inlets
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the stabilizing function from the guide wheels and transfers it to the sloping middle section of the fastening device. The guide wheels are no longer needed for stability, allowing them to be positioned without protruding into side inlets. The sloping section provides the necessary stability through its geometry rather than through lateral guide wheel contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sloping middle section acts as an intermediary element that provides stability without requiring lateral projection into the channel. It mediates between the lower and upper sections, transferring the stabilizing function away from the guide wheels and eliminating their harmful interaction with side inlets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adapted egg-shaped profile adapters are kept for different trolleys, then each trolley can be properly adapted, but the complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can be attached to different types of carriages and devices. The standardized adapter interfaces allow the same fastening device to work with various trolley configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized adapters and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4524448A1Fastening device for camera on a carriage of a channel inspection system
Publication Date: 2025.03.19 IPEK INT
  • EP4524448A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4524448A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4524448A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

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 has a largely vertical lower section, a largely vertical upper section, and an inclined middle section, wherein the upper section is arranged rearward or forward by a predetermined offset relative to the lower section.