Hose Guide Antenna Alignment for Sewer Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sewer inspection and maintenance systems face issues with uninterrupted wireless data transmission between the inspection/maintenance device in the sewer and the control device outside the manhole, due to separate deflection rollers and mirrors that can be misaligned or obstructed by the hose, leading to frequent communication interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A hose guide with a guide device having a predetermined radius of curvature, incorporating a transmitter/receiver device with an antenna system that remains vertically aligned, ensuring reliable wireless communication by routing signals through a coupled antenna device and transmitter/receiver module, which are protected from mechanical influences and maintain optimal alignment regardless of the guide's angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate deflection rollers and mirrors are used to redirect the hose and radio signal, then the hose can be diverted from the shaft into the channel, but the wireless communication link is frequently interrupted due to misalignment or obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hose guide and radio signal redirection functions into a single integrated guide device. The guide device has a curved path that simultaneously guides the hose from the shaft into the channel while the attached antenna redirects the radio signal along the same curved path, eliminating the need for separate deflection rollers and mirrors.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a mechanical guide for the hose and an optical guide for the radio signal. The antenna is positioned on the guide device to redirect radio signals along the curved path, making the single structure universal for both mechanical and electromagnetic guidance.
2Reliability
If additional signal deflection devices are installed to maintain wireless communication, then communication reliability improves, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hose guide and radio signal redirection into one integrated guide device with an attached antenna, eliminating the need for multiple separate signal deflection devices and reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the antenna is fixed on the guide device, then the structure is simplified, but the antenna alignment is compromised when the guide device is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is mounted on the guide device in a manner that allows it to move or adjust its orientation independently of the guide device's tilt. This dynamic mounting ensures the antenna remains properly aligned for signal transmission even when the guide device is positioned at different angles.
4Reliability
If the deflection mirror is placed at the bottom of the shaft, then the radio signal can be deflected, but the mirror can be covered by the hose or damaged by foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hose guide and antenna into a single integrated guide device, positioning the antenna on the guide structure itself rather than placing a separate mirror at the bottom of the shaft. This integration protects the signal redirection function from being covered or damaged by hoses and foreign objects.
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 solution provides a compact hose guide that ensures largely uninterrupted wireless data transmission between the inspection/maintenance device and the control device, even in inclined or water-carrying sewer environments, eliminating the need for additional signal deflection devices and maintaining optimal transmission quality.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter/receiver module (31) located on the rear section (H) of the guide device; and an antenna device (32) located on the front end section (V) of the guide device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a hose guide (10) for redirecting a hose (15) leading to an inspection and/or maintenance device (60) from a shaft into a channel, wherein: - the hose guide (10) comprises a guide device (20) and a transmit/receive device (30), - the transmit/receive device (30) is adapted to establish a wireless communication link between the inspection and/or maintenance device (60) arranged in the channel and a control device (50) arranged outside the shaft (S), - the guide device (20) has a radius of curvature such that a front section of the guide device projects into the channel, with the guide device redirecting the hose (15) from the shaft into the channel (K), and - the transmit/receive device (30) comprises a transmit/receive module (31) and an antenna device (32).wherein the transmit/receive module (31) is coupled to the antenna assembly (32) and the antenna assembly (32) is arranged on the front section, preferably on the front end (V) of the guide assembly (20).