Sewer Cleaning Nozzle with Real-Time Image Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sewer cleaning systems require repeated flushing processes due to the lack of assurance of effective cleaning, leading to increased time, water consumption, and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A sewer cleaning system equipped with a movable flushing nozzle connected to a hose, featuring a camera, data processing unit, and transmitting unit, which analyzes images to determine cleaning status and transmits a signal indicative of the status to a display unit, allowing for real-time visualization and control of the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If repeated flushing processes are performed to ensure effective cleaning, then cleaning reliability is improved, but time consumption and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a camera captures images of the sewer pipe interior during flushing, and a data processing unit analyzes these images to determine cleaning status. This real-time feedback allows the system to assess whether the flushing process has been sufficiently effective without requiring repeated attempts, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining cleaning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection by operators with an automated image analysis system. The camera and data processing unit substitute for human judgment in assessing cleaning effectiveness, providing objective, real-time evaluation that eliminates the need for repeated flushing operations and reduces overall time consumption.
2Reliability
If repeated flushing processes are performed to ensure effective cleaning, then cleaning reliability is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time image analysis feedback system allows operators to stop the flushing process as soon as the cleaning status is deemed sufficient, rather than continuing until visual inspection confirms effectiveness. This prevents excessive water consumption while ensuring adequate cleaning through objective image-based assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of cleaning status through image capture and analysis during the flushing process, allowing operators to determine in advance whether the flushing is sufficient before completing the entire operation. This prevents unnecessary water consumption from repeated flushing cycles.
3Reliability
If repeated flushing processes are performed to ensure effective cleaning, then cleaning reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated image analysis system provides real-time feedback on cleaning status, enabling operators to terminate flushing operations when sufficient cleaning is achieved. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary energy consumption from repeated flushing cycles while maintaining reliable cleaning results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces energy-intensive manual inspection and trial-and-error flushing with an automated optical inspection system. The camera and image analysis unit consume minimal energy compared to repeated high-pressure flushing operations, reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring cleaning effectiveness.
4Ease of operation
If manual inspection of cleaning status is performed, then operational simplicity is maintained, but inspection accuracy and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated camera and image analysis system. This substitution maintains operational simplicity for the user while dramatically improving inspection accuracy through objective, real-time image-based assessment of cleaning status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (camera and data processing unit) between the flushing operation and the inspection process. This intermediary automatically captures and analyzes cleaning status, bridging the gap between simple operation and accurate measurement without requiring manual intervention for inspection.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sewer cleaning system with a flushing nozzle which comprises a camera and a data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit is adapted to receive images of the sewer pipe taken by the camera, to analyze the received images in order to determine a cleaning state of the sewer pipe, and to generate a signal based upon the determined cleaning state and to transmit it to a display unit, wherein the signal is indicative of the determined cleaning state, wherein the display unit is adapted to cause a visualization of the received signal on the display unit based upon the received signal. Furthermore, a correspondingly designed method is provided.