Pipe Inspection Camera Illumination with Radial Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for pipe and sewer inspection face challenges in achieving uniform and cost-effective illumination of the pipe interior, leading to inadequate visualization of details within the image angle range.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a fisheye lens and two radially arranged illumination means, where the first illumination means is positioned in front of the second, and a reflector is placed between them to reflect light into the image angle range, ensuring even illumination across the entire view area, supplemented by a second reflector to enhance illumination in uncovered areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single illumination source is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the illumination uniformity across the field of view deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple independent illumination sources (first illumination source and second illumination source) positioned at different locations around the optical axis. Each illumination source independently illuminates a specific region of the field of view, and their combined effect achieves uniform illumination across the entire field. This segmentation allows complex illumination patterns to be achieved while maintaining relatively simple individual source designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple illumination sources and their reflected light paths are merged to create a unified illumination field. The first illumination source directly illuminates the object, while the second illumination source's light is reflected by the reflector into the field of view. These multiple light paths are combined to achieve homogeneous illumination, resolving the contradiction between simple device structure and uniform illumination quality.
2Ease of operation
If the beam angle of the illumination source is reduced, then the directionality and precision of illumination is improved, but the coverage area of the field of view deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system transitions from a single-dimensional approach (one source covering all angles) to a multi-dimensional approach (multiple sources at different positions and angles). By arranging illumination sources radially around the optical axis and using reflectors to redirect light, the system achieves comprehensive angular coverage while maintaining precise directional control from each individual source. This multi-dimensional arrangement resolves the contradiction between beam directionality and field coverage.
3Illumination intensity
If high-power illumination sources are used, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Reflectors are introduced as intermediary elements to redirect and distribute light from the illumination sources more efficiently. The reflectors bounce light into the field of view, increasing the effective utilization of light from each illumination source. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to achieve high illumination intensity without requiring proportionally higher power consumption, as the same light energy is redirected multiple times to cover the field of view more effectively.
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
The system achieves homogeneous illumination of the pipe interior, allowing for clear recognition of details within the image angle range, using LED lighting for energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and is adaptable to the shape of pipes with a hollow cylindrical housing.
Implementation Method 1
A first reflector is also arranged between the first and second illumination sources, designed to reflect light incident from the second illumination source into the field of view of the lens
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect, the invention relates to a camera system (10) for inspecting pipes and/or ducts, comprising: - an objective (16) for imaging an object onto an image-capturing unit; and - a first illuminating means (20) and a second illuminating means (34), which are each arranged radially around the optical axis (A) of the objective (16) and are designed to emit light in an emission direction (B), which runs substantially parallel to the optical axis (A) of the objective (16), in order to illuminate the object, the first illuminating means (20) being arranged in front of the second illuminating means (34) in the emission direction (B), and a first reflector (18, 28) being arranged between the first illuminating means (20) and the second illuminating means (34), which first reflector is designed to reflect light incident from the second illuminating means (34) into the image angle range (C) of the objective (16).