Sensor-Guided Hose Reel Control for Pipeline Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipeline cleaning and inspection systems require manual handling of hoses, which is labor-intensive and inefficient, and do not automatically manage the unwinding and winding processes, leading to potential hazards and inaccuracies in hose length recording.
Innovation Solution
A system with a hose, a working device equipped with sensors, a hose reel, and a motor controlled by a sensor data processing unit that automatically winds and unwinds the hose based on detected movement directions, allowing for automated handling and reduced manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of hoses is used for pipeline cleaning and inspection, then the system structure remains simple, but labor intensity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hose reel system automatically winds and unwinds the hose based on sensor-detected movement direction of the working device, eliminating the need for manual operation. The control device receives sensor data, determines movement direction, and autonomously controls the motor to rotate the hose reel in the appropriate direction, making the system self-servicing and significantly improving operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated electromechanical system. Sensors detect working device movement, the control device processes this information, and a motor drives the hose reel to automatically wind or unwind the hose, substituting human labor with an integrated sensing-control-actuation system
2Productivity
If automated motor-driven hose reels are used, then winding efficiency improves, but the system requires complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by using sensors to continuously monitor the working device's movement direction and feeding this information back to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device automatically adjusts the motor's rotation direction to ensure the hose is wound or unwound appropriately, creating a closed-loop control system that simplifies operation while maintaining efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The motor serves multiple functions: it can rotate the hose reel in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions depending on the working device's movement direction. This multi-functional capability allows a single motor to handle both winding and unwinding operations, reducing the need for separate mechanisms and simplifying the overall control system
3Extent of automation
If sensors are integrated into the working device for movement detection, then automation capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor device with the working device into an integrated unit. The sensor, control device, and working components are combined in a single assembly that is inserted into the pipeline, eliminating the need for separate sensor mounting structures and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high automation capability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
System (100) for cleaning and/or inspecting a pipeline (D), comprising a hose (1); a working device (2) connected to one end (1A) of the hose (1) for carrying out the cleaning and/or inspection with a sensor device (3), configured to acquire sensor data representing a direction of movement (X1, X2) of the working device (2) in the pipeline (D); a hose reel (4) onto which the hose (1) can be wound and unwound;comprising a motor (5) designed to rotate the hose reel (4) and a control device (6) which is connected to the working device (2) and the motor (5) via a signal conductor and is configured to: determine the direction of movement (X1, X2) of the working device (2) in the pipeline (D) based on the sensor data and output a first control signal to the motor (5), which causes the motor (5) to rotate the hose reel (4) to wind up the hose (1) in a first direction of rotation if the determined direction of movement of the working device (2) corresponds to a predetermined first direction of movement (X1).