Channel Tool Lighting Layout for Clearer Camera Imaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing channel processing devices, such as sewer pipe robots and high-pressure water jet systems, face challenges with contamination like dust and spray mist impairing the camera's field of vision during processing, leading to disrupted observation.

Innovation Solution

A channel processing device with a work area camera and a tool lighting device positioned closer to the processing tool than the camera, minimizing direct glare and reflections by creating a large angle between the lighting and viewing directions, and using a ring light or distributed light sources to illuminate the processing area effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the camera is positioned at a distance from the processing tool to view the processing area, then the field of view is sufficient to cover the entire machining area, but light reflections from dust or water mist interfere with the camera image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoidlight reflections
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the lighting device in a different spatial dimension relative to the camera, specifically at an angle of 45-90 degrees to the camera's optical axis. This dimensional arrangement allows the lighting to illuminate the processing area effectively while the light path does not directly reflect into the camera lens, eliminating glare and reflections from dust or water mist while maintaining sufficient field of view coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If the lighting device is positioned close to the camera to illuminate the processing area, then the illumination is sufficient, but direct glare appears in the camera image

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveilluminationVSAvoiddirect glare
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is positioned at an angular offset of 45-90 degrees relative to the camera's optical axis, creating a three-dimensional spatial relationship where the illumination path is separated from the camera's line of sight. This angular positioning allows strong illumination of the processing area while preventing direct glare from entering the camera lens, as the light travels in a different directional dimension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the lighting device is positioned at a larger angle to the camera viewing direction to reduce reflections, then the camera image is clearer, but the illumination of the processing area may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereflectionsVSAvoidillumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is designed with directional illumination characteristics that concentrate light precisely on the processing area (milling zone) while the angular positioning ensures this localized illumination does not reflect into the camera. The lighting provides sufficient intensity at the target location through optimized beam direction and concentration, while the spatial-angle separation prevents reflections, thus achieving both clear imaging and adequate local illumination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration provides a clearer and less disturbed camera image by reducing unwanted reflections from dust and water mist, ensuring better observation during processing.

Implementation Method 1

reducing light reflections from dust or water mist that may interfere with the camera image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4491326A1Channel processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 IBAK HELMUT HUNGER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4491326A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4491326A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4491326A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a canal processing device with at least one processing tool (8) and at least one working area camera (12) arranged at a distance from the processing tool (8), with at least one tool lighting device (14; 30; 32; 36; 40) which illuminates a processing area of ​​the processing tool (8) and is arranged at a lesser distance from the processing tool (8) than from the working area camera (12), and to a canal processing method.