Drainpipe Slope Measurement Using Ceiling-Based Sensor Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the slope of drainpipes, particularly those using self-propelled vehicles, face challenges with accuracy due to obstacles on the floor and ceiling, leading to noise in data collection and reduced reliability, especially when dealing with severely deformed or damaged pipes.
Innovation Solution
A method employing non-contact sensors at four positions on a vehicle or drone to measure the slope of a drainpipe's ceiling, using trigonometry to correct slope distortions and filter out noise data through image recognition techniques, ensuring accurate slope measurements even in the presence of obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If self-propelled vehicle type slope measurement apparatuses are used to measure slope while moving in a drainpipe, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to obstacles on the floor such as sludge and branches
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of measuring the slope from the floor level (traditional approach), the patent inverts the measurement approach by measuring the slope of the ceiling of the drainpipe. The measurement apparatus measures the distance to the ceiling at multiple points and calculates slope based on ceiling elevation differences, thereby avoiding the interference of floor obstacles such as sludge and branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the ceiling of the drainpipe as an intermediary measurement surface. By measuring the ceiling's position and elevation at multiple points along the drainpipe, the system indirectly determines the slope without directly contacting the floor, thus avoiding obstacles while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are mounted on a self-propelled vehicle driven with wheels in contact with the floor, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to noise in collected data from obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling serves as an intermediary measurement target that is not affected by floor obstacles. The measurement apparatus uses sensors to detect the ceiling's position and calculates slope based on these measurements, thereby obtaining reliable data even when the vehicle encounters obstacles on the floor during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact measurement (sensors contacting the floor) with non-contact optical or electromagnetic measurement (sensors detecting the ceiling). This substitution eliminates the mechanical interference caused by floor obstacles while maintaining the ease of operation of self-propelled vehicles.
3Ease of operation
If slope measurement is performed while driving on the floor of a drainpipe, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in discriminating fundamental horizontal posture control from posture control due to obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the reference frame for slope measurement by using the ceiling as the reference surface instead of the floor. This inversion allows the system to measure slope based on ceiling elevation changes, eliminating the confusion between vehicle posture changes due to obstacles and actual slope variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement apparatus continuously measures the distance to the ceiling at multiple points and uses this feedback to calculate the slope. By constantly updating the ceiling position measurements and comparing them, the system can accurately determine slope variations while compensating for any vehicle posture changes or movements.
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 approach significantly enhances the accuracy of slope data collection by correcting vertical and horizontal distortions and filtering out noise, enabling reliable measurements in challenging environments, including those difficult for self-propelled vehicles to navigate, and can be applied to both wheeled vehicles and drones.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor that measures a distance to a ceiling of the pipe in real time
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a method of measuring the slope of a drainpipe while moving through the drainpipe. The method includes following steps: a) continuously measuring a slope of a pipe using a slope sensor disposed in a vehicle when the vehicle moves; b) measuring distances to a ceiling of the pipe in real time through non-contact sensors disposed at four positions, that is, at both sides of front and rear portions the vehicle, the step b) being performed simultaneously with the step a); and c) calculating slope differences, which are the degrees of inclination to the front, rear, left, and right using trigonometry and then correcting the slope by reflecting the slope differences to the slope measured in the step a), when there are differences in the distances measured in step b).