Pipe Joint Bending Angle Calculation Using Image-Derived Centerlines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for calculating bending angles at pipe joining places require significant time and effort, as they involve multiple measurements of distances between a white line and the end surface of pipes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that capture images of joined pipes to derive laying direction straight lines from the images, calculating the bending angle as the crossing angle between these lines, which reduces the need for manual measurements and enhances accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple manual measurements of distance between white line and end surface are performed, then bending angle calculation accuracy is improved, but worker time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with an automated image processing system. A camera captures images of the pipe joint, and software automatically detects the white line position, end surface position, and calculates bending angle through image analysis, eliminating the need for workers to perform repeated physical measurements with tools
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the physical pipe joint and performs all measurements and calculations on this copy. The image serves as a faithful representation that can be analyzed repeatedly without affecting the original object, allowing automated extraction of geometric information without manual intervention
2Productivity
If automated image processing is used to derive laying direction straight lines, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing system is designed to automatically perform all operations without human intervention. The system self-adjusts by automatically detecting features in the image, calculating coordinates, deriving straight lines, and computing bending angles, making the complexity internal to the system while presenting a simple interface to the user
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system performs multiple functions within a single integrated framework: image capture, feature detection, coordinate extraction, straight line derivation, and angle calculation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices or manual operations into one unified system
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a bending angle calculation method capable of saving a worker time and effort. The bending angle calculation method includes: an image capturing step (S1) of capturing an image of a pipe in which a first pipe and a second pipe are joined together by a joint; a derivation step (S3) of deriving, from the image, a laying direction straight line corresponding to a laying direction of the pipe; and a calculation step (S4) of calculating, as a bending angle at the joint, a crossing angle between a laying direction straight line of the first pipe and a laying direction straight line of the second pipe.