Pipe Position Measurement Optics for Slip-Free Odometer Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for moving bodies inside pipes face errors due to wheel slippage, irregular pipe surfaces, and other factors, affecting accurate position measurement.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a light source, telecentric lens, convex lens, image sensor, and elastic members maintains a consistent image size on the image sensor, minimizing errors from pipe irregularities by varying the distance between lenses and maintaining invariant distances between the sensor and pipe surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an encoder-type odometer is used to measure movement, then position estimation can be achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to wheel slippage, wear, and pipe surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical encoder-type odometer with an optical engine-type odometer that uses an image sensor to capture pipe surface images and calculates movement distance through image processing and motion vector analysis, eliminating mechanical contact and associated errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the pipe surface using an image sensor, then analyzes the sequence of images to determine movement distance, replacing direct mechanical measurement with indirect optical measurement
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the image sensor and the inner surface of the pipe varies due to pipe irregularities, then the optical engine-type odometer can adapt to different pipe conditions, but measurement precision deteriorates due to changing image scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the captured pipe surface images as feedback to calculate motion vectors between successive images, which compensates for variations in distance between the image sensor and pipe surface by analyzing the actual visual displacement of features
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct distance measurement (which varies with pipe irregularities) to motion vector calculation based on image feature displacement, which remains accurate despite variations in sensor-to-surface distance
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 setup ensures accurate position measurement by maintaining a consistent image size on the image sensor, reducing errors caused by pipe irregularities and wheel slippage, and allows for precise determination of moving body position and direction.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens receiving reflected light from which light emitted by the light source is reflected by the inner surface
Implementation Method 2
a first lens receiving reflected light from which light emitted by the light source is reflected by the inner surface and converting the reflected light into parallel light parallel to an optical axis
Implementation Method 3
a second lens disposed on an optical path of the parallel light and converting the parallel light into a convergent refracted light
Implementation Method 4
an image sensor disposed on an optical path of the refracted light
Implementation Method 5
one or more elastic members disposed between the first lens and the second lens
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for measuring a position in a pipe is disclosed. An apparatus for measuring a position according to an embodiment includes a light source emitting light to an inner surface of a pipe, a first lens receiving reflected light from which light emitted by the light source is reflected by the inner surface and converting the reflected light into parallel light parallel to an optical axis, a second lens disposed on an optical path of the parallel light and converting the parallel light into a convergent refracted light, an image sensor disposed on an optical path of the refracted light, one or more elastic members disposed between the first lens and the second lens, and a plurality of wheels that are coupled to a side surface of the first lens and are in close contact with the inner surface to be rotated by movement of the moving body.