Fire-Fighting Robot Television Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art robotized fire-fighting units lack accurate three-dimensional coordinate determination and feedback on real jet movement, leading to low aiming accuracy and restricted application, especially in outdoor settings affected by wind and surface roughness.

Innovation Solution

A robotized fire-fighting complex equipped with a television system featuring two-channel IR and video cameras, digital signal processing, and a control device that adjusts jet direction in real-time using feedback from actual jet movement, enabling precise aiming and coordination in a three-dimensional system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If prior art robotized fire-fighting units use basic coordinate calculation without feedback, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of jet aiming is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidjet aiming accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where television cameras mounted on the fire-fighting unit capture images of the water jet trajectory. These images are processed to determine actual jet coordinates, which are then fed back to the control system to adjust aiming parameters in real-time, significantly improving jet aiming accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical feedback mechanisms with a television-based optical measurement system. Instead of using complex mechanical sensors to track jet position, the system uses video imaging and digital image processing to detect jet coordinates, reducing mechanical complexity while improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If prior art units lack feedback on real jet movement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of fire-fighting operations is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidfire-fighting effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously receives feedback from television cameras about the actual water jet position and trajectory. This real-time information allows the system to compensate for deviations caused by wind, pressure variations, and nozzle wear, maintaining reliable fire-fighting performance under varying conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own jet trajectory and correcting aiming errors without external intervention. The television system and control algorithm work together to enable the unit to self-regulate its fire-fighting effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If prior art units use only calculated ballistic parameters, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of jet direction is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaiming operation simplicityVSAvoidjet direction measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual aiming calculations with an automated television-based measurement system. The control system automatically processes video images to determine jet coordinates and adjusts aiming parameters without requiring manual calculation or complex operator intervention, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The television camera system acts as an intermediary between the physical jet trajectory and the control system. It captures optical information about jet position and converts it into measurable data, serving as a bridge that enables precise non-contact measurement of jet direction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If prior art units lack three-dimensional coordinate determination, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different fire scenarios is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate system complexityVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional aiming to three-dimensional coordinate determination by incorporating vertical angle measurement capability. The television system captures spatial information in three dimensions, enabling the unit to accurately target fires at different elevations and distances, significantly expanding its application range to include indoor and outdoor scenarios

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

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

Enhances aiming accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of fire-fighting operations, allowing for automatic monitoring and reduced human risk in hazardous conditions, while minimizing fire-extinguishing material usage and damage.

Implementation Method 1

two-channel television cameras, each having a video channel and an IR television channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

two-channel television cameras, each having a video channel and an IR television channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Implementation Method 3

using a digital IR television signal processing program, and to the input of a device to distinguish a jet and determine the coordinates thereof using a digital video signal processing program

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDigital signal processing: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentEP2599525B1An automated fire-fighting complex integrating a television system
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 JOINT STOCK ENG CENT OF FIRE ROBOTS TECH FR
  • EP2599525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2599525B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The technical result comprises automated monitoring of the actual direction of the jet, resulting in a higher efficiency of fire extinguishing. The technical result is achieved in a robotized fire - fighting complex having two or more fire - fighting robots (1), each having a carriage- mounted barrel (3) with aiming drives (4,5); a device (13) to detect fire and a remote observation device, both connected to a device identifying the ignition source and determining the coordinates thereof, said identification device being connected to an information control and display device that generates control instructions for pointing the robots and extinguishing the fire, said robotized fire - fighting having a television system having video and IR channels television cameras mounted on the robots and connected to the input of the identification device, using a digital IR television signal processing program, and to the input of the device for identifying the jet and determining the coordinates thereof.