Sewer Branch Inspection Camera Layout for Precise Guide Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for inspecting and rehabilitating sewer pipe branches suffer from limited visibility of the guide element's free end due to a restricted field of view and interference from reflections, making precise positioning difficult.
Innovation Solution
Align the pan-tilt camera perpendicular to the carriage's longitudinal axis, allowing it to capture areas in front and behind, and connect it with a spring joint to avoid obstacles, enhancing visibility and positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pan-tilt camera is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carriage, then the camera can observe the area in front of the carriage, but the field of view largely encompasses the guide element section closest to the camera with only a small portion allocated to the free end, resulting in unsatisfactory imaging of the free end
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional camera alignment by positioning the pan-tilt camera's optical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carriage instead of parallel to it. This inversion allows the camera to capture the free end of the guide element more effectively, resolving the field of view allocation problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional orientation of the camera from a longitudinal alignment (parallel to carriage axis) to a transverse alignment (perpendicular to carriage axis). This dimensional change expands the visible area of the free end while reducing the portion occupied by the near section of the guide element.
2Device complexity
If the pan-tilt camera is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carriage, then the camera structure is simple, but artifacts caused by reflections from the guide element interfere with the observation of its free end, complicating precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the camera alignment from parallel to perpendicular relative to the carriage axis, the patent changes the angle at which light reflects off the guide element. This eliminates or reduces the harmful reflection artifacts that previously interfered with observing the free end, while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If the pan-tilt camera is positioned to capture the free end of the guide element, then the view of the free end is improved, but the camera's enlarged outer outline may interfere with the shaft due to its transverse alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring joint to connect the pan-tilt camera to the carriage, making the camera assembly dynamic rather than rigid. This allows the camera to flex and adapt to narrow spaces, preventing interference with the shaft while maintaining the improved transverse alignment for better free end visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring joint acts as a flexible connection element, allowing the camera assembly to deform and pass through constrained spaces. This flexible connection resolves the conflict between the camera's enlarged transverse profile and the limited space in narrow shafts.
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
Improves the view of the guide element's free end, enabling precise positioning and comprehensive inspection, even in wastewater-filled pipes, with reduced interference from reflections and obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
the camera is connected to the carriage by means of a spring joint. This design allows the camera to passively avoid obstacles and also to be guided through narrow shafts and pipes
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (10) for the inspection and/or rehabilitation of a branch line (A) branching off from a main channel (H), comprising a carriage (20) extending along a longitudinal axis, a lateral inspection and/or rehabilitation system connected to the carriage (20), comprising an inspection and/or rehabilitation unit (30) slidably mounted relative to the carriage by means of a push rod, and a pivotably mounted guide element (40) for guiding the inspection and/or rehabilitation unit from a main channel (H) into a branch line (A) branching off from the main channel (H), the guide element having an end connected to the carriage (20) and a free end opposite the end connected to the carriage (20), and a pan-tilt camera (50) capturing the free end of the guide element (40), characterized in that the pan-tilt camera (50) is connected to the carriage (10).wherein the optical axis of the pan-tilt camera (50) is aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the carriage (20) in the zero position and its pan-tilt angle allows the imaging of a field of view arranged in front of and behind the pan-tilt camera (50) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carriage (20).