Self-Leveling Camera Head for Video Pipe Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video pipe inspection systems face challenges in maintaining a stable frame of reference due to the rotating camera head, which can cause viewer discomfort and difficulty in identifying defects, especially in pipes without water to provide a visual orientation.
Innovation Solution
A self-leveling camera head design with a leveling weight assembly and a slip ring assembly that allows for free rotation and easy removal of the camera module, combined with a processing circuit that electronically re-orients video signals to maintain an upright orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed orientation camera is used to observe variable orientation objects, then the camera structure is simple and rugged, but the video image orientation becomes unstable and causes viewer discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical camera orientation adjustment with electronic image rotation. A processing circuit receives the video signal from the camera and electronically rotates the image to the desired orientation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical gimbals or motorized camera mounts while maintaining ruggedness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the video image through electronic processing rather than physically reorienting the camera. The processing circuit modifies the video signal parameters (horizontal/vertical scanning directions) to present the image in the correct orientation regardless of the camera's physical orientation.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical leveling mechanism is added to the camera head, then video image orientation stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical leveling mechanisms (such as gimbals, motors, or gravity-based leveling systems) with an electronic image rotation system. The processing circuit electronically rotates the video image to achieve stable orientation without adding mechanical complexity to the camera head.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the orientation control function from the mechanical camera system and relocates it to the video processing system. By separating the imaging function (camera) from the orientation control function (processing circuit), the camera head remains simple and rugged while the orientation stability is achieved electronically.
3Strength
If the camera module is permanently attached to the housing, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the camera head into separable modules: the camera module and the housing. The camera module can be independently removed from the housing for repair or replacement, while the housing remains intact. This modular design maintains structural integrity during operation but enables easy maintenance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic connectivity between the camera module and housing - the connection is permanent during operation (maintaining structural integrity) but can be easily broken and reformed during maintenance (enabling ease of repair). This allows the system to transition between operational and maintenance states.
4Ease of operation
If electronic image rotation is implemented, then video image orientation stability is improved, but the loss of video content at extreme angles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rotates the video image by exactly the amount needed to achieve the desired orientation (typically 90 or 180 degrees), rather than attempting to preserve all possible viewing angles. This partial rotation approach maintains stable orientation for the intended viewing direction while minimizing video content loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuit changes the video signal parameters (scanning direction, image orientation) to match the desired viewing orientation. By adjusting these parameters, the system presents the video content in the correct orientation without the need for complex image warping or interpolation that would cause content loss.
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 solution provides a compact, rugged, and easily maintainable camera head that ensures video images are displayed in a stable orientation, reducing viewer discomfort and improving defect recognition, while allowing for precise angular adjustments without losing video content.
Implementation Method 1
A leveling weight assembly is supported inside the outer housing separate from the camera module assembly for free rotation about a second axis, which preferably substantially coincides with the first axis, as a result of a center of gravity of the leveling weight assembly being displaced from the second axis
Data Source
AI summary
A self-leveling camera head includes an eccentric leveling weight assembly that is supported inside an outer housing for free rotation about an axis. The leveling weight assembly can be removably coupled to a separate camera module assembly supported inside the outer housing for rotation about the axis so that its images will be “upright”, i.e. earth normal. A slip ring assembly includes a fixedly mounted connector assembly that removably mates with a contact assembly mounted to the camera module assembly. In an alternative embodiment the camera module assembly does not rotate within the outer housing. Instead a processing circuit processes a video output from a high resolution image sensing device in the camera module assembly, generates a sub-sampled region and rotates it into a predetermined orientation for display. The output of an orientation sensor in the camera head may be processed to achieve the predetermined desired orientation of the video that is stored or displayed.