Multi-Positioning Endoscope Camera for Obstructed Area Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyance monitoring systems require multiple cameras to image observation targets behind obstacles, leading to increased facility costs due to the need for numerous cameras and substantial video storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-positioning camera system utilizing a flexible industrial endoscope with a reel mechanism, support pipe, distributor, and branch pipes allows a single camera to image multiple positions by rotating and switching the endoscope camera to different positions, reducing the number of cameras and storage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cameras are installed to image observation targets behind obstacles, then complete coverage of all positions is achieved, but facility cost increases due to the large number of cameras and storage capacity required
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera system is designed to perform multiple imaging functions by switching between different observation positions. The camera can be positioned at multiple locations (P1-P4) to capture images of different targets (conveyance carts, containers, pallets) that would otherwise require separate cameras, thereby achieving universal coverage with a single device
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system is made dynamic through the distributor mechanism that can switch the camera's position between multiple fixed locations. This dynamic repositioning allows the same camera to observe different areas at different times, replacing the need for multiple static cameras and reducing both device complexity and storage requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-positioning camera system includes an industrial endoscope having an imaging device provided in a tip portion of a flexible soft portion; a reel mechanism which pays out and takes up the soft portion by rotating, in a normal direction and a reverse direction, a reel drum; a support pipe which supports the soft portion inserted from a tip of the support pipe in a pay-out direction; a distributor which switches and places a tip portion of the soft portion paid out from a support pipe opening formed at an insertion tip of the support pipe at one of a plurality of different positions; and plural branch pipes which have reception holes formed corresponding to the plural different positions, and observation windows that communicate with the reception holes and are located at the plural different positions, and each of which receives the soft portion inserted through the reception hole.