Pipe Inspection Probe With TOF-Guided Focus and Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe inspection and cleaning devices face challenges with focusing and illumination issues due to varying pipe diameters, requiring high computing power for autofocus and causing signal delays, and are unsuitable for long pipes and ducts, with mechanical lifting arms being inadequate for centering the camera.
Innovation Solution
A device using a TOF sensor to measure pipe geometry and adjust camera focus and illumination based on real-time distance measurements, allowing for adaptive focusing and illumination, and a rotatable camera to align with pipe walls, ensuring clear imaging and uniform lighting across varying diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an autofocus system is used to maintain constant focus, then image sharpness is improved, but computing power requirements and signal delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The TOF sensor performs preliminary distance measurement to the pipe wall before the camera captures the image. The control unit uses this pre-acquired distance information to pre-adjust the camera focus, eliminating the need for repeated image acquisition and evaluation required by traditional autofocus systems. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by providing sharp focus without the computational overhead and delay of continuous autofocus processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The TOF sensor acts as an intermediary between the pipe wall and the camera focus adjustment mechanism. Instead of the camera directly performing autofocus through repeated image analysis, the TOF sensor provides intermediate distance measurement data that the control unit uses to adjust the camera focus. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for complex real-time image processing while maintaining accurate focus.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical lifting arm is used to center the camera, then camera alignment is improved, but device size increases and it becomes unsuitable for small pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical lifting arm is replaced with a sensor-based measurement and control system. The TOF sensor measures the distance to the pipe wall, and the control unit processes this data to determine camera alignment. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical lifting components, significantly reducing device volume while maintaining or improving alignment precision through electronic measurement and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system performs self-alignment using the TOF sensor data. Instead of requiring an external mechanical lifting arm to physically adjust the camera position, the system uses the measured distance information to automatically determine and adjust its alignment. This self-service approach eliminates bulky mechanical components while achieving precise camera centering adaptively suited to different pipe diameters.
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
Enables efficient, real-time focusing and illumination in pipes of varying diameters, reducing computing power requirements and signal delays, and providing clear images with improved contrast and sharpness, suitable for long pipes and ducts.
Implementation Method 1
The measuring device is equipped with at least one TOF sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for inspecting and/or cleaning pipes (1) and/or channels. The device comprises a probe (3) and at least one measuring device for measuring the geometry of a pipe or channel and for measuring the distance between the probe (3) and an object (6) located in the pipe (1) or channel. The probe (3) is equipped with at least one camera. The measuring device is coupled to a control unit. The measuring device includes at least one time-of-flight (TOF) sensor, and the control unit is configured to adjust a focusing unit of the camera and/or an illumination unit coupled to the control unit based on measurement data from the TOF sensor.