Pipe Joint Bending Angle Check Using Multi-Point Insertion Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the bending angle at the joint of pipes are prone to inaccuracies due to varying capture conditions, leading to potential improper calculations.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that receive parameters indicating the degree of insertion of a spigot into a socket at multiple circumferential positions, determining the appropriateness of the bending angle based on these inputs, utilizing image acquisition, contour extraction, and derivation of laying direction straight lines to calculate the bending angle accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If image-based calculation method is used to determine bending angle, then the determination process is simplified, but the accuracy of bending angle calculation deteriorates due to varying image capture conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetermination process simplicityVSAvoidbending angle calculation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the measurement parameters from image-based visual measurements to direct physical measurements of insertion depths at multiple circumferential positions. By measuring the actual insertion depth values (L1, L2, L3, L4) at four different positions around the pipe joint, the system calculates the bending angle based on these concrete dimensional parameters rather than relying on image capture conditions, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If distance measurement method between white line and end surface is used, then bending angle can be calculated, but the measurement process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending angle calculation capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the measurement process into four independent insertion depth measurements at different circumferential positions (L1, L2, L3, L4) rather than requiring comprehensive distance measurements between marked lines and end surfaces. Each insertion depth can be measured independently and quickly, and the bending angle is derived from these segmented measurements through a standardized calculation formula, reducing overall measurement time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary measurements of insertion depths at four predetermined circumferential positions before calculating the bending angle. By pre-establishing the measurement points and using a standardized calculation method based on these preliminary data points, the invention eliminates the need for time-consuming image capture and processing, directly obtaining the bending angle from the pre-measured insertion depths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12626386B2Bending angle determining method and determining device

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

Achieved is a determination method which enables accurate determination as to a bending angle. A bending angle determination method includes: an input reception step of receiving, with respect to a joint at which a first pipe and a second pipe are joined together, inputs of respective parameters of a plurality of predetermined positions set in a circumferential direction of the first pipe; and a bending angle determination step of determining whether a bending angle at the joint is appropriate, on the basis of the parameters that have been inputted in the input reception step.